RICKY HATTON says seeing younger brother Matthew win a world title would mean as much as any of his great victories.
Matthew, 29, is on the brink of a crack at the world welterweight title, but must first come through Friday’s (26/11) European championship defence against Switzerland’s undefated Roberto Belge at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium..
Former two-weight champion Ricky said: “Matthew is every bit a success story in the ring as I have been.
“If someone had said he’ll become European champion and closing in on a world title when he was losing six rounder’s you wouldn’t have believed them.
“A lot of the credit goes to Matthew for dusting himself down, getting himself back and not listening to people.
“When it wasn’t going right for Matthew, I wouldn’t have blamed him if he said, ‘this isn’t for me’ and threw the towel in, but he stuck at it.
“From where Matthew has come, if he fought for the world title, what a story that would be.
“If he won a world title I would be as proud as I was myself everytime I won a big fight.”
Matthew, has won 40 of his 46 fights and despite occasional performances to forget he is unbeaten in eight contests and in the best form of his career
Ricky added: “He had no amateur career to speak of and had to learn as a professional which is hard enough. Now he is coming into his own and is a late bloomer
“Matthew has achieved more than anybody could have envisaged in their wildest dreams. He is physically stronger and looks the part now.
“I had a great amateur career and people knew I had a talent. Matthew had 18 amateur fights, a stop start career and lost the odd one.
“Matthew is a perfect example to any youngster and shown that if at first you don’t succeed keep your head down.”
On the Bolton bill, Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray aims to become a double champion when he tees off with Brazil’s former world title challenger Carlos Nascimento for the vacant WBA international crown
On the same bill, Bury’s impressive WBA international champion Scott Quigg will be bidding for his 21st consecutive win, but faces good Frenchman Daniel Kodjo Sassou – his toughest opponent to date.
The rest of the undercard features some of Hatton Promotions talented prospects including Matty Askin, Adam Etches, Tasif Khan and Beijing Olympian Joe Murray
Hatton Promotions latest talent stacked show is certain to sell-out but you can get your tickets £75 (Ringside), £50 and £30 from 0161 775 7500, www.ticketline.co.uk. There is limited number of corporate packages – price on request.
MAGIC’ MATTHEW WILL CONTINUE TO BEAT KNOCKERS.
MATTHEW HATTON has vowed to continue defying his critics on Friday night (26/11).
‘Magic’ Matthew makes the second defence of his European welterweight title against Switzerland’s undefeated Roberto Belge at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.
It is major test for 29-year-old Hatton who spent years in the shadow of brother Ricky, but finally emerged as a world class 147lb fighter earlier this year.
And the doubters have been silenced in an impressive European title triumph against Gianluca Branco followed by a winning defence against Yuri Nuzhnenko.
Speaking at Hatton Promotion’s media day to promote Friday’s triple title bill, Matthew said: “There are a lot of people giving me credit and they are people who once said I wouldn’t even win a British title, let along the European championship.
“There is now talk of me fighting for a world title and it is nice to prove people wrong.
“I cop for a fair amount of stick and that will always be there, but as long as I can see myself boxing well and making strides that is all I am bothered about.
“Criticism from boxing writers is fair enough because they know their stuff but a lot of it comes from internet keyboard warriors which I ignore.”
Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray aims to become a double champion when he boxes with Brazil’s former world title challenger Carlos Nascimento for the vacant WBA international crown on the card being screened live on Sky Sports.
Murray, unbeaten in 20 fights said: “I didn’t look great when I won the Commonwealth title against Peter Mitrevski Jr, but he came to spoil.
“I have watched Nascimento’s fight against Pawel Wolak and he didn’t stop coming forward so that should suit me and make it exciting for fans.”
Undefeated Scott Quigg hopes to line up a clash against Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion Jamie Arthur if he makes a successful first defence of his WBA international crown against Daniel Kodjo Sassou.
Quigg, 22, said: “There is talk of me facing Jamie Arthur, but if I can’t win this fight there won’t be anything like that to look forward to.
“Sassou looks strong, comes forward and it is my toughest test, but if I want to go to the places I believe I can, I need to be defeating these types of opponents.”
The undercard features some of Hatton Promotions talented prospects including Matty Askin, Adam Etches, Tasif Khan, Dean Halsall and Beijing Olympian Joe Murray
Hatton Promotions latest talent stacked show is certain to sell-out but you can get your tickets £75 (Ringside), £50 and £30 from 0161 775 7500, www.ticketline.co.uk. There is limited number of corporate packages – price on request.
ETCHES SPARKS SHEFFIELD INVASION
ADAM ETCHES barmy army will take over Bolton on Friday night when the Sheffield teenager has his second professional contest.
Despite being new to the professional game, Etches is fast becoming one of the biggest ticket sellers in professional boxing.
He has sold more than 250 tickets for his light-middleweight four rounder against Ian Johnson at the Reebok Stadium.
Etches said: “I have sold bundles of tickets and I think quite a few more will be paying on Friday night at the venue.
“I know most of the people coming individually and I hope my style will help win over fans from all over the country, not just in Sheffield.”
The clash takes place on the undercard of Matthew Hatton’s European welterweight title defence against unbeaten Swiss star Roberto Belge.
The 19-year-old stopped Lester Walsh inside two rounds on his professional debut last month, displaying immense promise and hopes for a repeat against Johnson.
Etches had more than 100 kick boxing fights and manager Richard Poxon added: “Adam is still very young and we will take our time with him.
“He trains so hard and doesn’t mind travelling across to Hatton Health and Fitness most day to train.
“Eventually all the hard work and determination will pay off and he will be the next Sheffield boxing superstar.
“There have been some great role models from the area and Adam is someone kids will look up to when they get to know him.”
For more information on Adam, log onto www.adametches.com
On the Bolton bill, Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray aims to become a double champion when he tees off with Brazil’s former world title challenger Carlos Nascimento for the vacant WBA international crown
On the same bill, Bury’s impressive WBA international champion Scott Quigg will be bidding for his 21st consecutive win, but faces good Frenchman Daniel Kodjo Sassou – his toughest opponent to date.
The rest of the undercard features some of Hatton Promotions talented prospects including Matty Askin, Tasif Khan, Dean Halsall and Beijing Olympian Joe Murray
Hatton Promotions latest talent stacked show is certain to sell-out but you can get your tickets £75 (Ringside), £50 and £30 from 0161 775 7500, www.ticketline.co.uk. There is limited number of corporate packages – price on request.