RICKY HATTON has revealed that Commonwealth welterweight champion Denton Vassell is helping him fall back in love with boxing.
‘The Hitman’s’ promotional outfit, Hatton Promotions stage a high quality dinner show at Manchester’s Palace Hotel on Saturday 4th December, with Vassell back in action..
Vassell, 29, keeps busy with an eight rounder against Brazilian Welson Alves de Oiveira (Jack Welson) and Hatton expects the unbeaten Mancunian to continue impressing when he bids for his 16th professional win.
Ricky who has compared Vassell to a mini Mike Tyson said: “I like Denton a lot and I am convinced he is going to become an elite fighter over the next 18 months.
“He was won a Commonwealth title in the time it took me to become Central Area champion. He has made massive progress and is 100 per-cent dedicated.
“He is always in the gym and works on the body belt like I did. He uses little moves that used to work for me.
“Denton is built like I am and I can identify with him, so to be promoting and helping with his career means the world.
“It means a lot to me when someone like Denton looks up to me and takes my advice seriously.
“I urge fans to get tickets to see this fighter in the early stages of his career before he hits the very top.”
Hatton, 32, regularly watches Vassell train under Bob Shannon at Hatton Health and Fitness, and added: “Once my boxing career finished and I didn’t have any goals that is why I crumbled and had my problems
“Now I have got my head on my goals are to get in the gym and work with lads like Denton and hopefully give them as good a life as I got out of boxing.
“If I can make a champion out of somebody by showing them a move here and there and I’ll be a happy man.”
Vassell won an ABA title in 2006, and lifted the Commonwealth back in April outpointing Lee Purdy on one of the most exciting contests so far in 2010.
Welson, 29, is a former Brazilian light-middleweight champion and won 14 of his 17 professional bouts
Also boxing on the card is Ryan Rhodes who has an eight rounder before possible world light-middleweight title fight and debutant Adam Little.
Although it is a dinner show, Hatton Promotions will not forget fans who just want to watch the boxing. There will be 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
SIMPSON TURNS TO WORLD CHAMP BURN
JOHN SIMPSON has been sparring with WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns to get himself in shape for his next big fight.
The Scot (21-7) bids to become British featherweight champion for the second time when he challenges Martin Lindsay (17-0) at King’s Hall, Belfast on Wednesday December 15.
Simpson, 27, is still bristling after controversially losing his Commonwealth title to Stephen Smith in September.
But he has welcomed the quick route back adding: “Training is going well and I am getting brilliant sparring right now.
“Everything is falling into place. I have been working with Ricky Burns who has a defence a week or so before my fight and Carl Frampton who is a great prospect.”
Although he will be going into the lion’s den when he tangles with Belfast idol Lindsay, boxing away is no problem having won most of his title fights in England.
And when he was on home soil in Glasgow against Smith the judges did him no favours at all.
He said: “There will be 6,000 screaming at me, but it doesn’t bother me. My record shows how well I fight on the road.”
Simpson had his first reign as British champion four years ago beating Andy Morris and made two defences before losing to Paul Appleby in June 2008.
If he beats Lindsay he will win a Lonsdale belt outright.
A second title fight sees Oldham based Mongolian Shinny Bayaar risk his British flyweight title against Liverpool hopeful Paul Edwards (7-0)
Also on the bill will be 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries who willl be back in action for the first time since his disappointing draw with Michael Banbula and will be fighting for the first time since linking up with renowned veteran trainer Tommy Brooks.
Tickets for Maloney’s spectacular show which will be televised by Sky Sports are available priced £25, £35 and 55 from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508
MALONEY OFF TO MONITOR JEFFRIES PROGRESS
FRANK MALONEY has jetted off to Los Angeles to see the progress of Tony Jeffries under new trainer Tommy Brooks.
The Olympic bronze medallist has been in California for almost five weeks training under the big name American.
Jeffries, 25, moved away from his hometown Sunderland following his draw with Michael Banbula in July and amicably split with trainer Bobby Rimmer.
The Olympic bronze medallist (7-0-1) returns to action at King’s Hall, Belfast on Wednesday December 15 in a six round light-heavyweight fight.
Maloney who is spending a week at ‘Jaffa’s’ training camp says the fighter has already proven himself to be a winner by leaving his fiancée, Sarah Kneeshaw and family.
He said: “When Tony decided to hook up with Tommy all the critics said he would be home within five minutes because he will miss the north-east.
“I don’t doubt for a minute that Tony is missing home. He has been away from his family and even missed Sunderland home games.
“It tells me just how much he wants to be a winner and become a major professional champion.
“In Britain we dismiss anybody who loses once and some of the stick he took after the Banbula fight particularly on websites wasn’t constructive.
“Bobby Rimmer did a good job with Tony, but the sparring he is getting in America is the very best and Tommy is a brilliant coach.”
In the main event local idol Martin Lindsay (17-0) defends his British featherweight title against Greenock’s John Simpson (21-7).
A second title fight sees Oldham based Mongolian Shinny Bayaar risk his British flyweight title against Liverpool hopeful Paul Edwards (7-0)
Tickets for Maloney’s spectacular show which will be televised by Sky Sports are available priced £25, £35 and 55 from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508