TODAY we launch the Herald Sports Personality Awards for 2009 and no one is keener to attend than this year's guest of honour – boxing legend Barry McGuigan.

Former world featherweight king McGuigan admitted he is 'excited and looking forward' to helping celebrate the cream of Plymouth sport at the Pavilions on Monday, November 30.

The popular Irishman – acclaimed as one of the finest fighters of his generation and also a highly-respected TV pundit – is also a great champion of grassroots sport in general.

McGuigan said he was well versed in the careers of city sporting champions like former boxer Scott Dann and world diving title holder Tom Daley.

And, McGuigan said he is eagerly anticipating being made aware of other achievements by Plymouth sporting figures at the Pavilions next month.

McGuigan told Herald Sport: "I'm really excited and looking forward to coming down to Plymouth for the awards.

"It's a great honour to be asked to be guest on the night and I'm delighted to accept.

"I've been to the South West many times and to Plymouth before but not for an occasion like this.

"The concept of the Herald awards is something that is very close to my heart as I'm a great believer in supporting local talent, in whatever sport.

"Obviously, as a former boxer myself, I know all about Scott Dann, who held the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles, not so long ago.

"And, I've followed the career of young Tom Daley, who is clearly an exciting and remarkable young talent.

"I was at a BBC awards ceremony in London a while back and Tom was also there but unfortunaely I didn't get a chance to speak to him.

"So, I'm hoping Tom be able to make the awards in Plymouth.

"But I'm sure that there will be a lot of sporting talent on the night and I'm looking forward to being pleasantly surprised.

"I'll see you all there on the night."

Keith White, managing director and co-owner of Michael Spiers Jewellers, who are the main sponsors, is anticipating another exciting night of prizes and surprises.

He said: "We are delighted to be sponsors of the Herald Sports Personality Awards for a second year, which I believe is going from strength to strength.

"And having a sporting legend like Barry McGuigan on board as guest of honour is great.

"But most importantly, the ceremony will again show off the talent there is in Plymouth and South West, as we did last year with our Olympians.

"It's a great event and we're delighted to be part of it."

McGuigan recalled meeting and beating another of Plymouth's sporting heroes – Vernon Penprase – in April 1984.

"I remember fighting Vernon for the (vacant) British featherweight title at the Ulster Hall in Belfast," said McGuigan, who stopped Penprase in the second round. It was early on in my career but I remember Vernon, he was a good boxer."

McGuigan, now 48 and with his own stable of fighters, went on to win the European featherweight title after ruling unrivalled in the UK.

And then on an unforgettable June night in west London in 1985 and watched by a huge TV audience, McGuigan outpointed Eusabio Pedroza over 15 rounds to win the world title.

The bout was voted Ring magazine's 'fight of year' and McGuigan's performance also captured the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year.