Next Wednesday evening on the undercard of Danny Green’s International Boxing Organization (IBO) Cruiserweight Title defence against American Antonio Tarver from the Sydney Entertainment Centre, will be a battle between 2 top 15 rated welterweights. Perth-based, Tunisian-born 2 time IBF World Title challenger Naoufel “Chocolata” Ben Rabah faces former IBF & IBO Welterweight World Champion, South African Isaac “The Angel” Hlatshwayo for the vacant IBF Australasian Welterweight Title over 12 rounds.
Ben Rabah who is ranked IBF#15 WBC#26 boasts an intimidating record of 33 wins with 17 of these inside the distance, and just 3 defeats. Hlatshwayo who is ranked International Boxing Federation (IBF)#8 also has an outstanding record consisting of 30 wins with 10 inside the distance, only 2 defeats and 1 draw.
Ben Rabah has been in some outstanding contests since turning professional in early 2001. He has held numerous Australian & regional title belts. Ben Rabah boasts wins early in his professional career against former Australian Titlists Fred Kinuthia, John Cotterill Jr. & current world rated Lightweight Ranee Ganoy. Ben Rabah’s most controversial bout came when he fought for the vacant IBF Light Welterweight in 2006 against undefeated Colombian Juan Urango in Florida, USA. Ben Rabah dominated the matchup, but lost a controversial close decision which was labelled “a disgrace” by respected commentator Teddy Atlas who was calling the bout from ringside for US cable network ESPN.
Ben Rabah was also involved in 1 of the most entertaining domestic matchups seen in years when he battled Lovemore N’Dou in 2007, again for the vacant IBF Light Welterweight Title, & again Ben Rabah just came up short. Since 2007 Ben Rabah has looked impressive, rattling off a 9 match winning streak including a dominant shutout victory against world rated Solomon Egberime in 2010.
Hlatshwayo has travelled the globe since turning professional in 2000. He first claimed the IBO Lightweight Title in 2005 with a dominant 12 round decision against former IBF World Champion Cassius Baloyi in his homeland of South Africa, and then defended the IBO title 2 more times including an outstanding win in the US over former Unified Lightweight Champ, American Nate Campbell before moving up in weight.
Hlatshwayo is known to the Australian boxing public for his 2 fights in Australia in 2007 & 2008 against world rated Aussie Robert Medley. Hlatshwayo dominated Medley in both bouts, which were for the IBO Welterweight Title. In the 1st bout Medley got knocked down, but survived the 12 round distance, however in the 2nd bout Medley was stopped by Hlatshwayo in the 10th round. Hlatshwayo has since been back to the US & won the vacant IBF Welterweight Title against Delvin Rodriguez in late 2009, however Hlatshwayo then lost his belt in his first IBF Welterweight Title defence to now current champ Slovenian Jan Zaveck.
Both Ben Rabah and Hlatshwayo are highly rated with the IBF, with the winner of this bout receiving a near top 5 rating with the IBF and therefore being in the box seat for a shot at the IBF Welterweight Title. Current IBF Welterweight Champion Jan Zaveck is currently scheduled to face top American Welterweight Andre Berto in the US on September 3.
Ben Rabah vs. Hlatshwayo can be seen live on Main Event PPV & Fox Sports Pubs & Clubs from 7pm EST/5pm WST Wednesday July 20th.
– Harry Summers
WATSON VOWS TO BE A HAPPY HOLIDAYMAKER
CRAIG WATSON insists that arch rival Lee Purdy will not ruin his summer in the sun.
Revenge minded Watson attempts to regain the British welterweight title in his rematch against the Colchester man at Oldham Sports Centre on Saturday night (July 16).
Purdy stunned Watson back in April, stopping Oldham’s favourite fighting son in five rounds at the MEN Arena.
But Watson who has won 20 of his 24 pro fights is determined to come through in his own back yard.
The 28-year-old southpaw said: “I am going on holiday with my mates to Kavos at the end of this month and have another break planned with my missus after that.
“I want to enjoy myself a bit after this fight – this is my third title fight this year.
“I am not going to let him ruin that. I want to enjoy the summer with a big smile on my face knowing the Lonsdale Belt is safe at home.”
In supporting contests Watson’s fellow Oldham fighter Darren Stubbs challenges Bob Ajisafe for the vacant English light-heavyweight title.
Purdy, beaten just twice in 18 fights added: “I won the first fight against Watson so there is no reason for me to have any doubt about the outcome.”
Commonwealth welterweight champ Denton Vassell is also in action when he boxes a six round non-title fight against Nicaraguan Ronny McField.
Hatton Promotions youngsters on the bill are Austin Hornsby who meets Jason Nesbitt, Dean Halsall is up against Ryan Clark and Matthew Clarkson tackles James Tucker.
The show is not being televised and tickets are selling fast for Watson’s revenge missing and are available prices £35, £55 and £75 VIP from 01925 755222.
The card will be available from 7pm on Sunday 17h July on Hatton TV with commentary by Phil Duffell and Micky Cantwell Simply log on to http://www.hattonsports.tv
HATTON PROMOTIONS WIN BIG FIGHT PURSE BIDS
HATTON Promotions have shown their ambition by winning the purse bids for two eagerly anticipated domestic title fights.
They have won the bids for Gary Sykes’s British super-featherweight championship defence against Gary Buckland and Anthony Crolla’s British lightweight title showdown against Scottish ace Willie Limond.
The dates and venue are still to be confirmed, but will be staged on top class promotions televised by Sky Sports later this year.
Hatton Promotions hard-hitting Welshman Buckland is delighted to get his chance against Yorkshireman Sykes.
The pair met last year in a Prizefighter tournament which Buckland won, and knocked out Sykes inside 45 seconds of their semi-final.
Buckland, 25, is in red hot form and became one of the few Britons to win in Mexico last month, outpointing Jose Roberto Gonzalez.
Hatton Promotions President Ricky Hatton said: “I am delighted that we have won the bids for two quality contests.
“I am delighted for Buckland and believe he will beat Sykes, prove himself the best in Britain and then move onto the European stage.
“When they last fought Buckland got it done early, but Sykes will make sure he doesn’t get caught early and I do believe we have a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.
“Anthony Crolla has to be one of the most improved fighters in Britain and has a big chance against Erik Morales in September.
“He is also keen to defend his British title and Limond is a worthy mandatory challenger. He came close to beating Amir Khan and did well against Morales last year before getting stopped.”
Hatton Promotions continue to keep busy in the summer months staging non televised shows.
This Saturday (July 16), Craig Watson attempts to regain the British welterweight title when he challenges Lee Purdy at Oldham Sports Centre.
One week later (July 23) at Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre, Scott Quigg has the biggest fight of his career when he meets Franklin Varela in a World Boxing Association (WBA) world super-bantamweight title eliminator.
Tickets for each show are available priced £75(VIP Ringside), £55 (Ringside) and £35 General admission and available from www.brandhatton.com http://www.brandhatton.com/ /0844 847 2500/ 01925 755222.
Both cards will be available on the internet for free from 7pm the following evening (Sunday 17th for Purdy v Watson & Sunday 24th for Quigg v Varela). Simply log on to http://www.hattonsports.tv/tv/tv-player