This Saturday’s Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin will see one of boxing’s most famous fighting families at the National Stadium. Matthew Hatton, the younger brother of Ricky features in an 8 round contest on the card as he looks to press his claims for a shot at the British welterweight title..
Ricky will break his training camp for his mega fight, pound for pound showdown with Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas on December 8th to work his brothers corner in Dublin.
At 26 Matthew is three years younger than his older brother but he too boasts an impressive record.
His 7 year professional career has seen him compile an excellent record of 31 wins, 3 losses and a draw and the Manchester native is hoping to impress on his Irish debut this weekend.
Hatton meets Finland’s Samuli Leppiaho over 8 rounds and he’s planning to win over a new legion of Irish fans.
“You have to go a little way back but there is Irish blood in the Hatton family,” revealed Matthew. “Our Great Great Grandfather on my Dad’s side was a legendary bare knuckle fighter in his day. He fought under the name of Spider Hatton and he was originally from County Kerry so you could say myself and Ricky are just carrying on in the family tradition!”
The present day Hatton fighters are certainly not doing too badly either and assuming Matthew gets past Leppiaho he will fight alongside his brother on the massive December 8th fight card in Las Vegas.
“That’s going to be one of the biggest nights in boxing history with Ricky fighting Floyd Mayweather so to feature on that card will be brilliant for me. I’ve fought on Ricky’s last 2 cards in Las Vegas and really enjoyed the experience. It also helps your profile in the States to fight on these big cards so I’m looking forward to another one in December.”
Hatton’s last two Las Vegas outings have seen him pick up the IBF Inter Continental and International Welterweight titles but it’s honours closer to home that are really concerning Hatton as he wants a shot at reigning British welterweight champion Kevin Anderson.
“I’ve felt like I’m ready for a British title fight for the last 18 months now but I’ve been with promoters who have pushed me in other directions but to be honest the British title is my number one priority.
“Kevin Anderson is a good champion but I’d fight him in his back yard tomorrow if that fight could be made and I think I’ve earned my shot now.”
Matthew has been training alongside his older brother as they both prepare for a massive few months in their respective careers. “Obviously I’ve fought on a lot of Ricky’s cards over the years and it’s always a nice situation to have because both of us can train alongside each other, do our roadwork together and help each other out with sparring.”
In fact the only two things the brothers can’t agree on is football – “Ricky’s a Man City fanatic but I’m a true red and follow United so the Manchester Derby is always an interesting one in our house!”
Hatton’s fight with Leppiaho is just one of a 9 bout card at the National Stadium on Saturday night. The main event sees John Duddy squaring off with Prince Arron while the card also features Irish middleweight champion, Matthew Macklin and undefeated prospects Paul McCloskey, Stephen Haughian, Lukasz Wawrzyczek and Sergey Kravchenko.
Heavyweight John Timlin will also be in action alongside his fellow Mayo man Michael “The Storm” Sweeney who will be making his professional debut.
Tickets for the “Celtic Tigers” Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin on October 20th are priced from €50 and are available from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.
Prince Arron looking to claim the middleweight throne
Prince Arron insists it is he and not John Duddy who will leave the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday night as the heir to the world middleweight throne.
The 2 men clash on this weekend’s Hunky Dorys Fight Night with the Manchester boxer representing the final obstacle in the way of Duddy securing his dream world title fight – but he’s planning a nasty surprise for Duddy.
“I’m going to shock the world,” predicted the 6 foot 3 inch 19 year old. “This is an unbelievable chance for me and I’m so up for this fight. I got the call very late but I’m going in there with nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Arron has stepped in at the last minute for Noe Tulio Gonzalez Alcoba. Sadly the Uruguayan’s career looks to be over after his pre fight medical revealed a detached retina but his loss appears to be Arron’s gain.
“I’ve done 10 rounds before so the distance is not a problem for me and trust me I can fight. I know all about Duddy but I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I didn’t think I could pull it off. I know Duddy has big plans but I’d like to step into his shoes. I have tons of ability and I think my height and reach advantages will make all the difference.”
Arron insists there will be no issues with his fitness having only accepted the fight yesterday. “I just fought last weekend so I’m in great shape. It was only a four rounder but it was a good workout for me and as it turns out it was a prefect warm up for this one. I’m always in the gym and always ready to go and I’ve been waiting for a chance like this to come my way.”
Arron turned pro aged just 18 but has already established himself as one of British boxing’s brightest prospects racking up 10 wins from his 12 professional outings to date.
In June he outpointed Cello Renda to pick up the British Master middleweight title and his manager Wayne Barker says that’s just the first of many title he expects his charge to pick up.
“We have big plans for him and some people might say this fight has come too early but it’s a fantastic opportunity and he has the ability to grab it with both hands. We know Duddy is good, in fact he’s very good but he’s not without his flaws and I believe my man can exploit those flaws and pull off the upset. He’s already beaten 2 undefeated guys and you know the old saying that things come in threes.”
Tickets for the “Celtic Tigers” Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin on October 20th are priced from €50 and are available from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.