SERGEY RABCHENKO is ready to pay back promoter Ricky Hatton by wiping out Britain’s best light-middleweights.
The Belarussian, 25, has already defeated Martin Concepcion and Bradley Pryce this year and is the mandatory contender for the European title currently held by Lukas Konecny.
Rabchenko who is unbeaten in 17 contests faces Halesowen’s Kevin McAuley over eight rounds on Hatton Promotions card at Bury Castle Lesiure Centre on Saturday night (July 23).
Hatton has taken time out to help Rabchenko who has his sights set on British champion Prince Arron and Sam Webb later this year.
Fans all over the world can watch the Rabchenko and the rest of the star studded card live and for free on You Tube (log in details below).
Rabchenko’s manager Philippe Fondu said: “Rabchenko himself is very proud to have been selected by Ricky Hatton and will make sure he never disappoints him.
“His next step being obviously the European title and very much relies on the advice of Ricky during his stays in Manchester.
“I truly believe that he’s got all the tools to become popular in the UK, where he joined the Hatton Promotions team at the beginning of this year.
“I would love to see him boxing the likes of Prince Aaron or Sam Webb, and I’m confident he’d stop both of them.”
In the Bury main event local hero Scott Quigg faces Franklin Varela in a World Boxing Association (WBA) world super-bantamweight title eliminator.
Undefeated Quigg, 22, will also be defending his WBA intercontinental crown against the Venezuelan.
In other contests on the card Italy’s former WBA world and European light-middleweight title challenger Luca Messi boxes Tony Randell.
In four rounders Hatton Promotions new signing Kieron Farrel faces Sid Razak, Tony Shaw is up against Jason Carr and Rhys Roberts tackles Marc Callaghan.
To access the broadcast just visit www.youtube.com/hattonboxing then click on the live button under the Hatton logo. The broadcast begins at 7.30pm (BST) 8.30 (CET)
The direct link to the show is http://www.youtube.com/Hattonboxing#p/l/fuUQZ3YxiJM
The last few for show which will not be televised are priced £75(VIP Ringside), £55 (Ringside) and £35 General admission and available from www.brandhatton.com /0844 847 2500/ 01925 755222
EXCITING CHANGES AS PRIZEFIGHTER RETURNS WITH LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS II IN SEPTEMBER
Prizefighter returns for a new season on Thursday 15 September with the Light-Middleweights II at York Hall, Bethnal Green, live on Sky Sports.
Plenty of exciting names are in contention for a place in the 20th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournament, which introduces two new exciting features in the famous east London venue.
For the first time in Prizefighter the draw will be made in the ring on the night, and before the action begins we will see the first “Prizefighter Prospect” in action as Matchroom Sport offer a young boxer the chance to fight in front of a big crowd before the eight Prizefighters battle for the title and the £32,000 winner’s cheque.
The first Prizefighter Prospect is Upminster’s Ryan “Crash Bang” Taylor, making his professional debut after a successful amateur career that saw him represent England, win the London ABAs and become the first Englishman to fight at the New York Golden Gloves.
“Ryan is an all action fighter and I’m delighted to give him this opportunity as our first Prizefighter prospect,” said Matchroom Sport’s managing director Eddie Hearn. “We believe in giving our young fighters as much experience and exposure as possible and allowing them to fight on our Prizefighter shows means we can keep them active which is vital in any fighter’s development.
“The 20th edition of Prizefighter is going to be a special night in York Hall and after Ryan becomes the first Prizefighter Prospect, an extra fight for Prizefighter fans, we will make the draw for the second Light-Middleweights in the ring, adding to the drama on the night.”
Hearn said that feedback received on his Twitter account – www.twitter.com/EddieHearn – was central to the changes to the Prizefighter format.
“We are always looking for ways to improve Prizefighter and after I asked the question ‘Would you like to see the draw on the night?’ on my Twitter, the response was an overwhelming yes,” said Hearn. “I think it’s going to be a great addition to the night and I’m delighted that the fans feel they can engage with us to make boxing’s most successful night even better.”
An announcement on the full line-up and ticket details for Prizefighter Light Middleweights at September from York Hall, Bethnal Green will be made soon.
Ben Rabah Dominates Hlatshwayo
On the undercard of Antonio Tarver’s upset victory again Danny Green, Perth-based, Tunisian-born 2 time International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Title challenger Naoufel “Chocalata” Ben Rabah demolished former IBF and IBO Welterweight World Champion, South African Isaac “The Angel” Hlatshwayo in 3 rounds at the Sydney Entertainment Centre to capture the vacant IBF Australasian Welterweight Title.
Ben Rabah (now 34 wins, 3 losses with 18 wins by knockout) was in arguably 1 of his most important bouts of his career to date against Hlatshwayo (now 30 wins, 3 losses with 1 draw and 10 wins by knockout). Ben Rabah started out looking sharp, showing exceptional movement and handspeed dominating for the majority of the 1st 2 rounds. Considering the importance of the bout with both boxers being highly ranked in the boxing organisations, (Ben Rabah IBF#15 WBC#26 & Hlatshwayo IBF#8) they both had mean intentions and were looking for the early knockout.
In the 3rd round Ben Rabah again used his incredible movement to force Hlatshwayo into the corner and landed a scintillating amount of power punches to the body and head knocking Hlatshwayo out flat cold. It was a sensational clinical stoppage which should send notice to all welterweights across the world.
With this dominant victory, you would expect Ben Rabah to be pushing towards a top 5 welterweight ranking in the IBF, since Hlatshwayo was ranked at number 6 in the IBF’s lastest rankings. Ben Rabah has possibly set himself up nicely for a potential shot at current IBF Welterweight Champion Slovenian Jan Zaveck. Zaveck is scheduled to defend his title 1st against top American Welterweight Andre Berto in the US on September 3.
Ben Rabah has put the world on notice!