HOT Hatton promotions light-middleweight hopeful Tom Doran reckons sparring with Denton Vassell has got him spot on for his first overseas test. Doran, 23, steps up in class when he meets Ukrainian Ihor Fanian at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena on Saturday night (March 26). Vassell heads the bill when he risks his Commonwealth light-middleweight title against Namibian Bethuel Ushona. Deeside’s Doran who has won all eight professional contests travels once week to Hatton and Health and Fitness for the gruelling spars..
He said: “I have really enjoyed sparring with Denton and it is the best I have had in my career so far.
“It has got me ready for the rounds and Denton is so intense. If you can spar with him you can spar with anyone. He is all action and so strong.”
Doran who works as an aircraft electrician for Hawker believes he will be title bound inside 12 months.
He added: “This is my second six rounder and I would like have a couple of eight rounders and then start looking at titles. It is a good division, but I think I will get there.”
Fanian, 21, has won nine of his 13 fights and last summer went close in a Ukrainian title fight.
In the chief supporting bout unbeaten hopefuls Matty Askin and Neil Dawson slug it out for the vacant Central Area cruiserweight title.
Other action packed clashes feature Adam Little, Rhys Roberts. Jez Wilson, Jazza Dickinson and Tom Shaw
Tickets for this big night of title action are available £30, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/0161 775 7500
DENTON FIGHTING TO GET OVER DAD
DENTON VASSELL has revealed that he been preparing for his first Commonwealth welterweight title defence despite his dad’s death.
The unbeaten Mancunian’s dad Mansell died earlier this year, but Denton bravely decided to push ahead with Saturday’s (March 26) clash against Namibian Bethuel Ushona.
Vassell said: “People are saying ‘do this for your dad’, but I don’t want to put that sort of pressure on myself because at the end of the day I know he is proud of me.”
Mansell rarely watched his son fight, although Denton’s mum, Janet DaSilva is her boy’s number one fan.
The fast emerging Hatton Promotions star added: “Dad never really liked me boxing but was proud I worked in a bank and loved it when people would say to him; ‘Your Denton is doing well’.
“He was pleased I had a good happy lifestyle and used to say he was glad I wasn’t on the streets fighting, selling drugs. I was doing something good and making something of my life.
“My mum goes to most of my fights, but my dad never liked watching me. It was weird.”
Ushona, 29, is undefeated in 23 fights, and holds a win over countryman Ali Nuumbembe who was formerly based in Manchester.
The cocky challenger said: “I haven’t even bothered looking at Vassell. I will work him out inside a round.
“I am one of the best welterweights in the world so what he can do doesn’t concern me.”
Vassell who has 16 professional fights won the Commonwealth crown in a thriller against Purdy last April.
In the chief supporting bout unbeaten hopefuls Matty Askin and Neil Dawson slug it out for the vacant Central Area cruiserweight title.
Other action packed clashes feature Tom Doran, Adam Little, Rhys Roberts. Jez Wilson, Jazza Dickinson and Tom Shaw
Tickets for this big night of title action are available £30, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/0161 775 7500
Vassell getting ready for Ushona bout on March 26th
DENTON VASSELL is following the example set by Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson ahead of his first Commonwealth welterweight title defence.
Vassell, 26, puts his title on the line against another undefeated fighter, Namibian Bethuel Ushona at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena on Saturday (26th March)
Trainer Bob Shannon believes there is no fighter in Britain who works has hard as the Manchester star in the gym.
Vassell said: “I train like a world champion and just unleash the beast when it is time to fight.
“Muhammad Ali used to go running with lead boots on, Mike Tyson would run an extra mile and I do the Glossop run every Sunday.
“I run up the hills with a weight vest and ankle weights. You have to have your mind right or you will just give up.”
And with the opposition getting harder, Vassell knows he cannot afford to take it easy when Shannon puts him through his paces.
He says: “I have so much confidence in my ability. I haven’t fought bums, but tough cats like Lee Purdy, Eddie Corcoran and Jamal Morrison.
“My fitness is excellent and I proved that when I fought Lee Purdy. There are just one or two daft habits I have to get out of the system, but I will push myself to the next level.
Ushona, 29, is undefeated in 23 fights, and holds a win over countryman Ali Nuumbembe who was formerly based in Manchester.
Boxing Banker Vassell added: “Ushona is quite a smart boxer who does well off the back foot and he is similar to Corcoran but better.”
Vassell who has 16 professional fights won the Commonwealth crown in a thriller against against Purdy last April.
In the chief supporting bout unbeaten hopefuls Matty Askin and Neil Dawson slug it out for the vacant Central Area cruiserweight title.
Other action packed clashes feature Tom Doran Adam Little, Rhys Roberts. Jez Wilson, Jazza Dickinson and Tom Shaw
Tickets for this big night of title action are available £30, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/0161 775 7500