20.07.05 – The Minter’s and the Hatton’s, two of British boxing’s most famous dynasties, clash on Friday 23 September at Park Lane’s Hilton Hotel. In the 1970’s and early 80’s, Alan Minter, the former British, European and Undisputed World Middleweight Champion, was the dominant force in British boxing. The new Millennium saw Ricky Hatton emerge as the exciting bright young star who last month sensationally defeated Kostya Tszyu to become the IBF World Light-Welterweight Champion.
Now, Alan’s son Ross and Ricky younger brother Matthew will not only fight for family pride and the Vacant English Welterweight title that is on the line, but will also aim to raise as much money as possible for the DebRA charity.
The Sports Network show will assist DebRA, who help promote research into the cause, nature, treatment and cure of the skin genetic disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) to raise the initial funding to develop the worlds first clinical research centre for EB at The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.
Minter Jnr, known as Ross ‘The Boss’, won the Southern Area crown in a thrilling fight against Chas Symonds in April and is raring to go.
“I’m up for this fight more than any other,” said Minter.
“So much is on the line. I’m the Southern Area champion and Hatton’s the Central Area champion and the English title is up for grabs with the winner going on to bigger title opportunities. And of course our family names come into it as well so there will be a hell of a lot of pride and glory on the line on the night,”
“My dad gives me great advice as he has seen and done it all before and with my trainer Johnny Eames behind me I’ll be in the best shape of my life and the Minter name will rule once again.”
‘Magic’ Matthew, the Central Area champion, fights with the same all-action style as Ricky and has the edge in fight experience over Minter.
“This is a big fight with a lot at stake,” Hatton said.
“Our names do come into it because we come from renown boxing families but at the end of the day it will come down to me and Ross and who wants it the most.”
“Ricky’s fantastic in helping me prepare for a fight as we run and train together and on the night he will working in my corner. I won’t lose this one that’s for sure.”