RICKY HATTON believes that Sheffield KO king Adam Etches is one of Britain’s hardest punching prospects.
The light-middleweight, 19, has flattened his first two professional opponents in quick time and bids to make it a hat-trick of wins in the Premier Suite at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Saturday 26th February.
Big ticket selling Etches travels three times a week to Hatton Health and Fitness in Hyde to train under Bob Shannon, while he remains with Andy Marlow in Sheffield the rest of the time
He often spars with Ricky’s younger brother, Matthew and ‘The Hitman’ is often on hand to give advice to the Hatton Promotions prospect.
Ricky said: “Adam is in the early stages of his career, but is working with Bob Shannon who has done a great job.
“Bob is a first class trainer and ideal for someone like Adam to learn his trade with.
“He is a little bit on the raw side, but Bob and myself are trying to show him a few subtle moves.
“Adam punches like a light-heavyweight. He has laid his first two opponents out and that is no surprise to us, but we want to teach him a few moves.
“We are showing Adam that he needs to disguise his power a bit more so we working on a few small things.
“He is such a good learner and is so receptive to any tips I give and hangs onto every word Bob says.
“Adam didn’t have a long amateur career so it is no shock that he is raw, but with time and patience he will become the finished article and have a successful career.”
Top of the Sky Sports televised bill is Stephen Foster Jr’s European super-featherweight title defence against Belgium’s mandatory challenger Ermano Fegatilli.
Also in action is Mancunian Olympic star Joe Murray. He is up against tough Frenchman Daniel Kodjo Sassou who recently took Scott Quigg 12 rounds.
Others hopefuls on the undercard include Belarusian star Sergey Rabchenko, Keiron Maher, Richard Towers and Dezzie Higginson
Tickets for’ Night of Champions’ £35, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/0161 775 7500