The showdown at boxing supershow

It's a collision course that started with Matthew Macklin's crowning glory in 'The Battle of Brum' last year – and will come to a head when he comes home to the LG Arena.

All eyes will be on the Second City on September 18, when Birmingham's star middleweight finally meets his great parallel Darren Barker in the ring with the European title on the line.

The two are regarded as Britain's shining stars in the division, with Barker snapping at his heels of ever since the 28-year-old was crowned British champion last March.

Macklin took the belt from fellow Brummie Wayne Elcock at the Aston Arena just as Barker was on a tear as the Commonwealth champion, with the big domestic showdown made for last September.

But Macklin pulled out for a shot at the European crown, which he won with a stunning one-round knockout of Finland's Amin Asikainen, as Barker took his British title by beating Danny Butler.

Again Macklin vacated, this time with a World title shot in the works after making the decision to move to Los Angeles and train under Freddie Roach at his famed Wild Card gym, alongside Manny Pacquiao.

It hasn't come off as yet and Barker is an itch that needs to be scratched and, with hometown advantage, Macklin is looking to put the debate of who is the better fighter to bed for good.

He said: "I knew that if we both kept on winning the fight was inevitably going to happen. I am sure there will be a lot of talk and a lot of trash talk, because this fight will create a lot of hype.

"It's on the right card at the right venue in the right city – and I am looking to do a real number on him."

The main event showdown is just the cherry on top of the cake on Frank Warren's nine-bout bill, all title fights.

Perhaps most intriguing of them all pits Birmingham light welter Frankie Gavin against Curtis Woodhouse, England's only World amateur champion meeting the former pro footballer.

Former England under-21 international Woodhouse even used to play for Gavin's beloved Birmingham City, before turning to boxing in 2006 and winning his first belt, the International Masters title, in February.

The 30-year-old from Driffield was only in action last Friday night, stopping the now-retired Stefy Bull in nine rounds, with Gavin looking on from ringside live on Sky Sports at the Doncaster Dome.

Woodhouse marched straight across the ring to trade verbals with 'Funtime' Frankie after winning the fight, who has now promised to shut him up for good in the ring.

He said: "Any boxing person who has got a bit of brain about them knows there is only one outcome - that's Curtis getting knocked out.

"This is not football, he hasn't got a team to help him. They can't make a substitution when he gets stopped.

"I don't really remember him playing for Birmingham, I only remember the big players and he wasn't one of them!"

Also in action is Olympic gold medallist James DeGale, defending the WBA International super middleweight title he won against Stourbridge's Sam Horton in May.

Patrick Mendy, who won Prizefighter last Wednesday night beating Horton in the first round, has been offered the chance to fight DeGale but turned it down.

Rounding off the Birmingham influence is Don Broadhurst, who has a shot at the vacant English super flyweight title against a yet to be named opponent.

There will also be a shot at the interim WBO light heavyweight title for Nathan Cleverly, and a big domestic heavyweight fight for the British title between champion Derek Chisora and Sam Sexton.

Another big head-to-head will see Kell Brook and Michael Jennings meet for the British welterweight belt, while light middleweight Ryan Rhodes and cruiserweight Enzo Maccarinelli defend their European titles.

Tickets are available from the LG Arena by calling 0844 338 8000 or from Ticketmaster on 0844 844 0444.