Hatton-Tszyu Set For June 4th In Manchester

27.01.05 – In what is sure to be the most explosive fight of the year and the biggest fight staged in Britain in the last decade, Kostya Tszyu and Ricky Hatton – the top two light-welterweights in the world – will battle it out to decide who is THE BEST when they collide at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester on Saturday 4 June. Sports Network chief Frank Warren today (27 January) confirmed that Hatton will fight for Tszyu’s IBF World Light-Welterweight title in what will be the defining fight of his career.

Warren, who has worked tirelessly to secure the fight for Hatton, enthused, “It’s the fight that the public and media wanted and I’m delighted to confirm that it’s on. It certainly one of the biggest, if not the biggest fight, that I have been involved in staging. The demand for tickets is incredible and we are expecting a sell out crowd at the M.E.N Arena that will create an incredible atmosphere on the night. I see it as a very competitive and compelling fight. Ricky is close to approaching his peak and he’s facing one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Tszyu will start off favourite but I believe Ricky has an excellent chance of causing an upset.”

Manchester idol Hatton has been guided masterfully throughout his unbeaten 38-fight career, winning British, International and World honours as he stormed towards his super-fight with Tszyu.

Starting out at 600 seat venues, Hatton built his reputation as the most exciting fighter in the country with his electric, all-action, style focusing on ferocious body-punching to become the biggest box-office attraction in Britain and the World, regularly thrilling crowds of 15,000 plus and creating an electric atmosphere at the M.E.N Arena.

The 26-year-old forced his way to fight Tszyu when he got into the mandatory challenger position with his stunning victory over Mike Stewart last October. Never one to rest, Hatton took a risky fight against Ray Oliveira last December whilst awaiting his date with Tszyu and become the first man to stop the American.

Hatton faces a massive test against Tsyzu who is universally recognised as the best at the weight and next to Bernard Hopkins is the best pound-for- pound fighter in the world.

The Australian based Russian has ruled the division since winning the IBF crown precisely a decade ago and has gone on to unify the titles.

Known as the ‘Thunder from Down Under’, Tszyu has a fight-record littered with victories over the top operators in the division including Sharmba Mitchell, Jesse James Leija, Ben Tackie, Zab Judah, Oktay Urkal and Julio Cesar Chavez.

An excellent ring technician with a sledge-hammer punch, Tszyu returned to the ring last November after been forced out of the ring with an injury to destroy Mitchell in under three rounds to underline his position as the number one.

IT’S SET TO BE THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN SO GET IN EARLY!

Tickets will go on sale on 3 February and will be available from:

KEITH PROWSE TICKETING: 0870 906 3839
M.E.N ARENA BOX OFFICE: 0870 190 8000
www.frankwarren.tv

FOR HOSPITALITY PACKAGES PLEASE CONTACT EVENT TRAVEL ON: 08700 771 000

Doors will open at 8.30pm with the first commencing at 10pm. Hatton and Tszyu will be in the ring at 2am (Sunday 5 June)