GARY BUCKLAND is targeting European super-featherweight champion Ermano Fegatilli

The all-action Newport fighter wants the Belgian after tomorrow’s Sat (March 24th) British super-featherweight title defence against Paul Truscott (18-2) at Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield. Fegatilli won the title 13 months ago when he shocked another Hatton Promotions boxer Stephen Foster Jr – who is mandatory challenger to the Buckland-Truscott winner..

But Buckland (24-2) is thinking big and said: “I don’t want to look past Truscott, but I want Fegatilli after this.

“Believe me though, I am not overlooking Truscott who is a good tidy boxer, but gets drawn in. Hopefully I can draw him into a fight and he’ll play into my hands.”

Injury prevented Buckland having a South Wales homecoming against former Commonwealth featherweight champion Buckland last November.

But he reckons he’ll be happy returning to the venue where he took the title from Gary Sykes back in September.

He added: “It was disappointing when I got injured and didn’t box him at the end of last year, but when you get that Lonsdale belt you don’t want to lose it for no reason.

“I am going back to Sheffield and it is just like boxing at home in South Wales. It is a great arena and hopefully it’ll bring me luck again.

“I was treated well last time and the fans in Sheffield know I always do my best to produce exciting fights.”

Other fights: Patrick Mendy v Bradley Pryce, Sergey Rabchenko v Ronny Gabel, Richard Towers v Harold Sconiers, Adam Etches v Stilian Kostoc, Scott Jenkins v Adrian Fuzesi, Mitchell Butler v Francis Maina, Carl Bell v TBA, Jason Cunningham v Ryan McNichol and Jak Perry v Beki Moyo.

Boxing starts at 6pm and the handful of tickets remaining are priced £35 general admission, £55 floor seating, £75 ringside and £100 VIP Ringside. You can buy by calling The Hatton Box Office 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com

BUCKLAND BROTHERS WILL HAVE RIVALS SEEING DOUBLE

BOXING brothers Gary and Mitchell Buckland believe they are starting a new family dynasty this weekend.

The pair will be in action when Hatton Promotions stage a bumper bill at Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield on Saturday night.

Gary (24-2) heads the card that his being televised by Sky Sports when he makes the first defence of his British super-featherweight crown against Middlesbrough’s Paul Truscott (18-2).

Lightweight Mitchell, 19, makes his pro debut when he tackles Londoner Francis Maina (1-1-1) in a four rounder.

Gary, 25, who won’t even watch his brother in action won the title last September in the Steel City outpointing Gary Sykes in a thriller.

He revealed: “I get more nervous when my brother boxes than when I do.

“I won’t even watch his fight because I like to sit in the changing rooms and take it easy; I just concentrate on my own fight.

“There is a bit of a gap in our ages, but hopefully he can follow in my footsteps and win the British title like I did.”

The Newport pair train at Tony Borg’s gym and are part of a resurgence in Welsh boxing at amateur and professional level.

Southpaw Mitchell added: “Ever since Gary turned pro it has been my dream to follow him and emulate him by winning a British title.

“Gary is an example of what hard work can do. Follow in his footsteps and you won’t go wrong.

HATTON CARD CLOSE TO SELL-OUT

HATTON Promotions have added more seats into Ponds Forge Arena for Saturday’s bumper Sheffield bill.

The response from the Steel City public has been incredible with unbeaten prospects Adam Etches and Scott Jenkins selling almost 1000 tickets between them.

In the bill topper on the Sky Sports televised show Gary Buckland defends his British super-featherweight title against Middleborough’s Paul Truscott.

Buckland thrilled Sheffield fans last September when he became champion by beating Gary Sykes in a thriller and fans obviously want more of the exciting Welshman.

Hatton Promotions CEO Ricky Hatton: “Sheffield is hotbed for boxing and amazing sales for this weekend prove it.

“Fortunately we have managed to squeeze in a few more seats and a limited number of tickets are now available from our box office.

“At Hatton Promotions we pride ourselves on great shows and fine matchmaking and with most shows selling out, we are doing something right.

“It promises to be an exceptional night on Saturday. Buckland v Truscott will be edge of the seat stuff for sure.

“With this sort of response we will be back in Sheffield very soon with another top class show.”