PLAY the game and not the occasion.

That’s the advice given to Hughie Fury by Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the boxer’s WBO World Heavyweight title fight with Joseph Parker next month.

It’s a well-used phrase in the sporting world – especially from football managers like Sir Alex – intended to focus players’ minds ahead of big matches like title-deciders and cup finals.

The former Manchester United boss’s words – written in a much-publicised letter to Fury – will hopefully stand him in good stead when he clashes with Parker in Manchester.

And it’s a message that Barrow’s very own pro title-winning boxer Liam Conroy intends to abide by when he also goes for title glory in September.

Conroy faces the biggest night of his career in a fortnight’s time when he takes on Joel McIntyre for the English light-heavyweight crown at York Hall. The Barrow ABC product will enter the ring as underdog, and in front of a partisan crowd at the famous Bethnal Green cauldron; he will need to stay as relaxed and focused as possible if he is to cause an upset in the British title-eliminator.

Conroy knows the importance of retaining his composure and concentration, and that’s why he is lapping up all the advice he can get before Saturday, September 9 – including that given to Fury from one of world football’s most famous managers.

Both fighters, plus fellow professional Ross Cooksey, attended an autograph-signing session for budding young boxers at Barrow ABC on Saturday, when Conroy also benefited from some sound advice from Fury’s dad and trainer Peter.

Conroy has admitted that in some of his previous bouts he has been guilty of getting caught up in the pressure of the occasion and not sticking to his gameplan, and he knows he can’t afford to let that happen against such a dangerous opponent as McIntyre.

Tapping the side of his head with his forefinger, Peter Fury told Conroy: “It’s all up here. Sometimes boxers can over-think things and that doesn’t help.

“You’ve done all the hard work; you are ready, so just go out there and relax and enjoy it and you will get your rewards.”

Wise words which could serve both boxers well when it really matters. Hopefully the next time Conroy and Fury pay a visit to Brook Street, they will have new
title-winning belts to show off to their young fans.

Will fight night be a hit at the cinema?

SO Barrow cinema is screening the most-hyped fight of the year.

In case you are a cave-dweller or just returning from a trip to Mars, Floyd Mayweather takes on Conor McGregor in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday morning. Opinion is divided on whether this sporting spectacle will live up to its star billing.

Intriguing clash between the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts? Or just a money-making sporting circus? Or a bit of both?

Whatever you think, one thing's for sure, the contest will be watched by a worldwide audience of millions on pay-per-view TV and cinema screens.

Vue cinema in Barrow is opening its doors to fight fans and insomniacs alike - and good luck to them.

Many locals will remember a similar event being a big success when two famous fighters appeared on the big screen at the town's old Astra cinema in the mid-1980s. Hundreds queued outside the Abbey Road venue in the hope of getting a ringside seat. And the hype was definitely worth it that time, as Rocky Balboa caused a big upset by beating Ivan Drago.

Millom getting back on the right track

SOWERBY Cup success will have been a sweet feeling for Millom's cricketers.

Not only did they beat their neighbours Haverigg in Sunday's final, but the trophy is named in memory of a former St George's Road player in Gareth Sowerby.

When Sowerby was learning his trade as a talented young batsman in the 1990s, Millom were a real force to be reckoned with.

They lifted the old North Lancs League Division One title six years on the bounce from 1989 to 1994, including a league and Higson Cup double in 1990.

As well as possessing class batsmen like George McMeekin and Steven Sharp, and deadly accurate bowlers such as David Lupton, Millom also had a knack of signing up excellent overseas professionals.

Another astute pro signing – future South African Test paceman Andre Neil – starred in 1998 when his 102 wickets saw them win the Division One crown again - but there has only been one more top flight title in the two decades since.

The once dominant club have gone through some testing times and are now competing in the second tier, although they did manage a Sowerby Cup and league double in 2014.

Repeating that feat is on the cards again, so there is a good chance Millom could soon be celebrating a double-trophy winning season and Premier Division cricket in 2018.

Not quite a return to the golden days, but definitely a step in the right direction for one of the North Lancs League's most respected and decorated clubs.