Brook: I’m going to bash up Hatton

Sheffield star returns from training camp with warning for Hatton

Kell Brook is back in Sheffield after a training camp in Spain, and has told Matthew Hatton that he will in prime shape when they meet at the Sheffield Motorpoint Arena on March 17, live on Sky Sports.

Brook spent a week in Fuerteventura with members of the Ingle Gym in Sheffield as he begins his preparation for the massive ‘War of the Roses’ Welterweight clash.

The unbeaten 25 year-old headlines the biggest show of his career so far against the former undefeated European champion and he believes that time in the sun has given him the perfect start to his preparations.

“Spain was great, we trained three times a day, running on the beach was tough but great for the fitness,” said Brook. “It was nice to get a change of scenery. There was about nine of us from the gym and a few Spanish boxers there too – we had a good laugh but got down to some good work too.

“I’m back in the Wincobank now but I was training over Christmas anyway as Eddie Hearn told me there was something big coming in March so I didn’t want to switch off at all. I’m stepping it up now and we’re going to be really hitting it hard in the next week or so but I already feel great so there are no worries there.”

Hatton recently warned Brook that his training could suffer as he becomes a father for the first time when his partner Lindsey gives birth to their daughter mid-February. Brook has denied that it will be a distraction and warned Hatton that he is in for a hard night in Sheffield.

“Everyone is different – we’ve got things worked out and it’s really not going to be interrupting our training. We’ve got our heads around how it’s going to work and we’ve got a lot of people around us to help too so it’s not a worry – I’m just really excited about it. He can’t get into my head with that sort of stuff and on March 17 I’m going to be all over him. Dominic Ingle has already got me working on plans for Matt and I know my game plan on the night will be spot on to beat him and bash him up.”

Tickets priced £30 (tiered), £40 (tiered), £60 (tiered/floor) and £100 (ringside) are available from the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield Box Office on 0114 256 5656 or online at www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk

VIP tickets have now sold-out.

QUIGG STILL HOPING TO FACE MUNROE

SCOTT QUIGG has been boosted by the possibility of a mouth-watering domestic clash against Rendall Munroe later this year.

British super-bantamweight Quigg had hoped to meet the former Commonwealth and European champion in his first defence next week.

But southpaw Munroe said he was dropping down to bantamweight leaving unbeaten Quigg to risk his crown against Welshman Jamie Arthur at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on Saturday February 4.

Their promoter Ricky Hatton revealed last week that the world’s best bantamweights were running scared of Munroe and he would remain at the 122lb division.

That has increased Quigg’s chance of facing Munroe, who ironically boxes Argentinian Jose Saez on next week’s bumper Bolton card.

Bury’s Quigg said: “This fight was offered to Rendall and I am willing to fight him after my defence against Jamie, who I am not overlooking.

“Rendall has nowhere else to go at the minute. I am ranked higher than him in the IBF and WBA and I’m British champion so he has something to gain from fighting me.

“It is down to him to come back to the table and ask for the fight. I am willing to fight him in my next defence.”

On the same bill Joe Murray meets a selected opponent, hopefully for the vacant English featherweight crown.

The card will also include Stephen Foster Jr v Yauheni Kruhlik. Matty Askin v Attila Palko, Craig Lyon v Yuri Voronin, Jazza Dickens v Michael Ramabaletsa, Feargal McCrory v Jason Nesbitt and Tasif Khan v Selected Opponent.

Boxing starts at 6.15pm and tickets priced at £35, £55 and £75 VIP ringside. You can buy by calling 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991 or online www.hattonboxing.com

RYAN BURNETT SIGNS WITH HATTON PROMOTIONS

IRISH amateur sensation Ryan Burnett has signed a long-term promotional deal with Hatton Promotions.

The Belfast teenager is one of Ireland’s most decorated amateurs of recent times and already moved to Manchester where he is being trained by Ricky Hatton.

Burnett, 19, who will box at either flyweight or bantamweight and makes his debut in late-April or May said: “Everything is going well and I am in Manchester to learn under Ricky.”

As an amateur he compiled a record of 94 wins and four defeats. Burnett’s international honours include an Olympic Youth Gold Medal, seven All-Ireland titles, numerous multi-nations medals, Six Antrim titles and four Ulster titles.

Burnett represented Ireland 40 times at international level, and Hatton said: “I am very excited to be working with Ryan, but it is baby steps at the moment.

“From the short time we have spent together he is obviously one helluva talent, but we really have to take our time because he is so young.

“In the next few weeks we will continue building our relationship and then see how his weight is before deciding what division he should start in.

“It will be a bit of a wait for his debut, because although it is the same sport the amateur code is so different from the professionals.”