UK Boxing: Matthew Hatton; Ryan Rhodes; Willie Casey

MATTHEW HATTON insists he is in the shape of his life after weighing in for Friday’s (Nov 26) European welterweight title defence against Roberto Belge.

‘Magic’ Matthew and his unbeaten Swiss challenger both weighted 10st 7lb (147lb) for their 12 round showdown at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium..

Hatton, 29, said: “This has been my best training camp ever. Everything has come together and I want to show I belong in world class.

“I am physically coming into my peak and I believe this is the best training camp I have ever had.

“I feel unbelievably well. There have been no niggles, no injuries, good sparring and I feel really fresh.”

Belge’s only blemish in 25 fights is a draw, and Hatton said: “It is an outstanding record and unbeaten fighters believe they will never lose, but he will be on Friday night, believe me.

“I have watched three of his fights and he is a good all round fighter.”

Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray aims to become a double champion when he tees off with Carlos Nascimento for the vacant WBA inter-continental crown.

The popular St Helens boxer weighed in at 11st 5lb (159lb), while Brazil’s former world title challenger came in on the middleweight limit at 11st 6lb (160lb)

On the same bill, Bury’s impressive WBA inter-continental super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg hit the scales at 8st 9 1/2lb (121.5lb) for his defence against Daniel Kodjo Sassou.

The Frenchman looked well and weighed 8st 9lb (121lb). He is Quigg’s toughest test so far in an unbeaten 20 fight career.

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 close to a 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.

RHODES LAUGHS OFF EL MAACHI TAUNT

RYAN RHODES has dismissed threats from Yassine El Maachi telling the unknown boxer: “You shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as me.”

Rhodes, 34, is world title bound and keeps busy with an eight rounder against unbeaten Rocky Junior on Hatton Promotions gala dinner show at Manchester’s Palace Hotel on Saturday December 4.

El Maachi has threatened to destroy Rhodes, but Sheffield’s former British and European light-middleweight champion fumed: “He is a complete joke.

“If I fought him it would be like a Premier League team taking on a side from the Conference in a major cup final.

“Next year I want to be fighting for world titles and not taking on fighters like El Maachi who is trying to get publicity off my back.”

Hatton Promotions are making moves to ensure that Rhodes gets his world title chance next year and his Brazilian opponent Junior will help shed any ring rust.

Since taking the European light-middleweight title from Jamie Moore in 2009’s fight of the year, Rhodes has fought just once.

And in September he was cruelly stripped of the European title, after pulling out of a defence with a back injury.

He added: “Rocky has won all 11 fights and this is the ideal fight to get some rounds under my belt and to shake off the cobwebs.

“I need to be active at my age and next year needs to be a big one for me.”

Also boxing on the card is Commonwealth welterweight champion, Denton Vassell who faces another Brazilian Welson Alves de Oiveira (Jack Welson) over eight rounds and debutant Adam Little.

Although it is a dinner show, Hatton Promotions will not forget fans who just want to watch the boxing. There are 200 tickets available to them on a first come, first served basis.

For those attending the black tie event there will be a reception at 6pm, followed by dinner and the boxing bill.

Dinner Ticket prices – Table of 10, £750.00. VIP Table of 10, £1000.00 and V-VIP Table of 10, £1250.00

General admission tickets are priced at £50.00, but there will be a strict dress code enforced. No Jeans, No Trainers, No Sportswear.

To book your tickets for this special not to be missed occasion call 0161 775 7500, 0844 847 2500 e-mail boxoffice@punch-promotions.com

Willie Casey & Dean Byrne for Dec 10th

Dolphil Promotions are delighted to announce that EBU Champion Willie ‘Big Bang’ Casey has been added to the December 10th card in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

The Limerick southpaw is set to raise the roof again when he returns to the ring as Champion of Europe on the undercard of Anthony Fitzgerald’s WBF Title fight. ‘Big Bang’ is keen to get back into the ring having dismantled Paulie Hyland in just four rounds just over two weeks ago. “I’m delighted to be fighting again so soon, I’m feeling great and looking forward to putting on a show for all my fans in Dublin.”

Casey is eager to remind fans that he will be taking nothing for granted and will not be looking too far ahead. “It isn’t a warm up though. That is a little disrespectful. I won’t be taking anything for granted. I am a scalp now and I expect my opponent to be all out against me. I won’t be thinking about Kiko until eight weeks before our March fight.”

Up and down the country Casey Mania has gripped the nation like no other fighter. Having defeated Hyland in just his 11th professional fight, comparisons have been made to that of fairytales with some pundits labeling him ‘The Cinderella Man’. Willie Casey’s dramatic story continues to unfold with the next chapter taking place Friday 10th December in the National Basketball Arena. Tickets are available from www.ticketgroup.ie

Fans are being urged to buy theirs now as the capacity is restricted. Irish boxing fans must surely be licking their lips as Dolphil Promotions have also added Dean Byrne to the card. The Freddie Roach trained fighter will be looking to extend his unbeaten record to 14-0. The Crumlin native is relishing the opportunity to fight in front of his home fans again. “The reception I got the last time was excellent and I’m hoping that now I can start pushing for a World Title soon so fans can expect a top performance. I’m feeling great; me and Freddie have been working on a few things so I’m looking forward to getting into the ring. I was disappointed that my fight over here fell through and jumped at the chance of fighting at home again.”

December 10 at the Basketball arena has been dubbed ‘The Pride’s Path to Glory’ by Dolphil Promotions with Anthony ‘The Pride’ Fitzgerald taking centre stage contesting the WBF Inter-continental Title. Fitzgerald is joined by Dean Byrne, Willie Casey, Gavin Prunty, Christina McMahon, JJ McDonagh, Patrick Hyland, Paddy McDonagh, Noel O’Brien

Tickets available from ticketgroup.ie or call 0818 33 33 44 also available from

Crumlin Boxing Club on 087 280 4380