RICKY HATTON is willing to sit down with rival promoter Frank Warren to try and make a Battle of Britain between Ricky Burns and Anthony Crolla.
The former two-weight world champion promotes fast rising British 135lb title holder Crolla, and believes he’ll become a world force next year.
Hatton wants the Mancunian to face Warren’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim champion Burns next.
Hatton said: “The main forces in the domestic lightweight scene are Ricky Burns and Anthony.
“Promoters should try and work together in order to give the British boxing fans the fights I’m sure they would love to see.
“Although I and Frank have had our differences in the past, the respect I have for him has neither been in question.
“I would sit down with Frank in order for British fans to see the best fights.”
Burns was ringside to watch Crolla retain his title with a points thrashing of Willie Limond two weeks ago, and the England v Scotland showdown between the pair has been mooted since then.
Hatton predicted: “In 2012 I believe that Anthony will beat all-comers and prove himself as Britain’s number one lightweight.
“He is growing into the weight, maturing and the performance against Limond was one of the most dominant by a British champion this year.”
Ben Murphy vs. Ashley Theophane on Saturday
Just thirteen days ago Ben Murphy successfully defended his BBBofC Southern Area Lightweight Title, with a magnificent fourth round stoppage of Tony Owen at the Coronet Theatre in Southwark, London.
This coming Saturday the tough, pit bull like, thirty one year old from Hove will move up a weight division to challenge Ashley Theophane for his British Light Welterweight title at the Frank Maloney Promotions event at the Peterlee Leisure Centre.
Murphy got what he describes as a ‘Golden Opportunity’ following the proposed opponent, Nigel Wright, being forced to step aside on medical grounds.
Following a training session, under the watchful eyes of his coach Johnny Eames at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, an elated Murphy spoke briefly on his unexpected shot at the British title, “I keep pinching myself and asking myself is it real, you know.
Yeah I know it’s not even two weeks ago I fought Tony Owen, so this may seem too soon to some, but it didn’t go the distance, it was a fourth round stoppage.
Tony’s pretty decent, a good boxer, but I bullied him really, I bullied my way in and stretched him.
I knew that was going to happen. I may have been able to out box him as well, but I just knew I was going to take him out and finish the job. I just didn’t want to wait around, so got it done quick and kept my Southern Area title.
It’s good I done the job so quickly because now I’ve got a shot at a British title against Ashley (Theophane) on Saturday.
I still can’t believe it’s happening. Johnny (Eames) called me up on Tuesday and said do you want to take the fight.
Yeah, I jumped at the chance, it’s a golden opportunity for me to come out and prove to people what I can do.
I don’t know Ashley personally, I know he used to train here at the TKO, I’ve seen him fight and seen him spar so I’ve seen a little of him.
He’s a decent fighter, you can’t take that away from him, that’s why I’m so excited for this opportunity.
If I go in there and do this job – I’m so positive, I can see visions of me winning this fight you know. There’s no negatives in my mind about this fight, it’s all positive visions coming to me – I see the British title coming back with me.
When I do that I’m rolling from there and I’m looking forward to it.”
Ashley Theophane versus Ben Murphy, for the British Light Welterweight title, headlines the Frank Maloney Promotions event at Peterlee Leisure Centre, Peterlee, Tyne and Wear on Saturday 10th December 2011, and broadcast live and exclusive on Sky Sports HD1.
Battle for supremacy and get ready for Kanat Slam
Lausanne, Switzerland, 8 December 2011 – As we go deeper into the competition, the action intensifies in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) as the teams battle it out for supremacy. None more so than in Group B, where the winner of the Baku Fires vs. Leipzig Leopards will sit top the table. Mexico City Guerreros first open the show with their match against the struggling Istanbul Bosphorus. A strong Venky’s Mumbai Fighters outfit then welcomes the Los Angeles Matadors in a battle dubbed Bollywood vs. Hollywood, just as an intense rivalry is revisited with Astana Arlans hosting Dynamo Moscow.
Thrilling contests as teams bring out the big guns for more top quality boxing action. All matches will be broadcast LIVE on worldseriesboxingtv.com
Match of the week
Looking to take a major step towards qualification for the WSB quarter-final stages, two undefeated teams go head-to-head as Baku Fires face Leipzig Leopards at the Olympic Sports Centre ‘Serhedchi’. There promises to be a hot reception in the heart of the Azeri capital for the Franchise from Germany with Baku Fires lining up some heavy hitters who have the know-how to cause serious damage. Four of the Fires’ boxers, Abdulhamidov, Grivachev, Magomedau and Abdullayev have a combined 20 WSB fight experience, and of these only two are losses. An awesome proposition for any team but with the Leopards savvy and well-drilled, this will be an intriguing contest. Leipzig can rely on Irish duo Egan and Sheehan and Germany’s Burhard who each came back from the Olympic Test event with two golds and one silver medal respectively. Evenly poised and with top spot in Group B at stake, there is all to fight for.
Fight of the week
A rivalry that goes back to last season when the American Franchises were battling it out, Paul Gene Koon III fighting for his new team the Venky’s Mumbai Fighters will lock horns once again with Los Angeles Matadors’ Javier Torres. Recruited from the Miami Gallos where his was undefeated, American Koon III is looking to cause a stir in Mumbai. He will be looking to propel the Fighters to victory and ensure a second victory against his compatriot Torres in a fight that promises to be tense and unpredictable.
Rest of the action
When Venky’s Mumbai Fighters face the Los Angeles Matadors in the unique setting of the T-Box Mobile Arena (Read more about it) at the In-Orbit Mall in Mumbai, India, they will feel that they stand a great chance of taking the overall victory. With crowds expected to pack the arena and with an atmosphere unparalleled, the Fighters will quickly look to assert their authority over the visiting team. If showman Siddharth Varma can concentrate on boxing and with Patrick Gallagher eager to impress, the Indian fans could soon be celebrating a landmark victory in Group A.
With the Mexico City Guerreros so good at home in Group B, it is hard to see how bottom of the table Istanbul Bosphorus can get anything out of this match at Foro Polanco. However the beauty of boxing lies in the fact that anything can happen on the day. The Guerreros are taking nothing for granted against the visitors with four of their best fighters taking to the ring. Look out for young but experienced Heavyweight Juan Hiracheta, capable of the unexpected; this deceptively fast orthodox boxer is armed with an array of thunderous punches.
Clash of the Eastern titans in Group A as Astana Arlans face Dynamo Moscow. There will be no love lost between these two teams with an intense rivalry that stretches back years. With a long boxing tradition in both camps, sparks are sure to fly as the fighters take to the ring. Astana will look to put to bed their defeat to Milano and overcome their opponents with some tough boxers lined-up. Amongst these are lightening quick Merey Akshalov and the imposing Ruslan Myrsatayev.
Boxer to watch
Look no further than WSB’s Knock-Out King Kanat Slam. The 27-year-old Kazak Middleweight boasts an impressive record in the competition, with one KO and three TKOs coming in his five victories so far. A true star in the making, and one of the most explosive fighters in the whole of WSB. The sought after orthodox pugilist will once again look to wow the crowds at the Daulex Sports Complex in Astana. There promises to be fireworks when the Arlans powerhouse takes to the ring against newcomer Aleksandr Ivanov of Dynamo Moscow.
What was said
“The journey has only begun. I have been a fighter all my life, now I am actually going to be recognised as a boxer. I am proud now to be known as a Venky’s Mumbai Fighter” declared Siddharth Varma, the Lightweight showman of the Indian based Franchise (Read story in full…)
The Bangkok vs. Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder tie has been cancelled due to the widespread flooding in Thailand. Due to the unavailability of Paris’ venue this week-end, the Paris United vs. Beijing Dragons has been postponed until 31 January 2012.