San Diego, CA – March 3, 2016 – This Saturday afternoon, March 5th, undefeated and number-two ranked WBA heavyweight contender Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (23-0-0) will battle defending WBA World Heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1) for his belt. The bout will be broadcast LIVE in the United States on AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment.

The action begins live at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT.

Browne is promoted by former two-division world champion and British Idol, Ricky Hatton and the Manchester great has a lot on the line this Saturday if Browne can come through with the victory.

“It would be massive for my company, very significant,”said Hatton. “Lucas would be my first world champion as a promoter, and it’s fantastic that it would be a Heavyweight title. I was a two-time world champion as a fighter. I have trained a world champion, so I don’t know many people who have done all three as a trainer, fighter and a promoter. ”

To have Browne in this position, the fighter turned promoter, is thrilled for his fighter, being that Browne was not sought after in his early career.

“I am very happy for Lucas. He came up the hard way. He was not an Olympian. In fact, it was just a few years ago, that he was working doors at the night clubs and he has put in the hard work and this is a big night for me and my company.”

Despite the fight being in enemy territory, “The Hitman”, feels his fighter is in good hands as Browne is being trained by former super middleweight world champion and British great, Nigel Benn.

“He has a great team behind him. An excellent trainer. It is going to be a tough job, but I firmly believe that he will win the fight. It will be difficult as Chagaev was a big amateur and now a world champion. Lucas who has always been known as a puncher is moving a lot better on his feet. Very fluid. Lucas has also added speed and has had great preparation.”

Being in enemy territory, Hatton knows that the fight may come down to the judges, and he believes that Browne will get a fair shake.

“I would like to think that Lucas will not need a knockout to win, but judges can be swayed by the hometown fans, but this being a world title fight, I expect world class judges. That being said, Lucas should not leave it to chance.”

With a Browne win, there is a chance a good portion heavyweight division would run through the United Kingdom as Unified champion Tyson Fury and potentially Anthony Joshua (who fights IBF champion Charles Martin on April 9) would hold most of the hardware in boxing’s glamour division.

“I thought about that. I get along well with Eddie Hearn, who has Joshua. I get a long great with my former promoter Frank Warren and you can also throw David Haye in there who is back. I can’t see any problems making fights with Joshua or Fury and we would have some massive heavyweights fights here. Lucas has fought five times here and has a good fan base.”

“The only thing that I am gutted about on Saturday is that I can’t be there with Lucas when he wins as I train a lot of young fighters and I have four of them fighting on Saturday and they need me in London with them, but Saturday will be a great day for my company.”

There will be a three fight undercard beginning at 2 PM.

In a 10-round Heavyweight bout, Edmund Gerber (25-2, 16 KO’s) of Schwerin, Germany will fight Brian Minto (41-10, 26 KO’s) of Butler, PA.

In a 10-round bout for the IBO International Welterweight title, Vishkahn Murzabekov (12-0, 6 KO’s) of Russia takes on former world title challenger Ali Funeka (37-5-3, 30 KO’s) of South Africa.

Tyrone Spong (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Miami, Florida battles David Gogishvilli (12-0, 8 Ko’s) of Gori, Georgia in a 6-round Cruiserweight bout.

Boxing fans can enjoy this amazing card on AWE available on AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD, Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD, CenturyLink PRISM TV ch. 144 and 1144 in HD, and numerous regional cable providers across the nation. Please check www.awetv.com for boxing updates.

About AWE LIVE BOXING

AWE LIVE Boxing features live world title championship and elimination bouts showcasing today’s most exciting fighters. Since the inception of AWE’s live boxing events in 2011, AWE has earned multiple Boxing Writers Association of America nominations for “Fight of the Year” and has featured over thirty world class boxing events. In 2013, AWE showcased all live bouts featuring heavyweight David Price. AWE aired live the stunning upsets of Tony Thompson over David Price, along with Adonis Stevenson and Tony Bellew cards, who fought each other for the light Heavyweight championship; 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winner James DeGale. AWE brought boxing fans two of the most controversial bouts which saw Ricky Burns keep his Lightweight title against Ray Beltran. AWE fans have witnessed the explosive power of undefeated heavyweight Tyson Fury multiple times on the network, including Fury’s victory over Kevin Johnson. In 2014, AWE televised the crowning of lightweight champion Terence Crawford with his win over Burns as well as the exciting rematches between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez along with Tony Bellew defeating Nathan Cleverly. In 2015, AWE brought boxing fans on of the most anticipated rematches of the year, Darleys Perez v. Anthony Crolla II for the WBA Lightweight World Title.

About AWE – A Wealth of Entertainment
A Wealth of Entertainment (“AWE”) features a wide range of lifestyles and entertainment programming from exotic travel and outrageous homes to live world championship boxing. AWE is featured on over a hundred cable providers, including AT&T U-Verse, ch 147 and 1147 in HD and Verizon FiOS TV, ch 169 and 669 in HD. For more information, please visit www.awetv.com.

Hatton Promotions and Black Country Boxing are joining forces again in 2016 to bring more top class pugilism to the Midlands.

The promotional outfits hosted three successful events during the final months of last year and will pick up where they left off at Walsall Town Hall on Friday, 19th February with a nine fight card – jam-packed with undefeated boxers.

Topping the bill will be heavy-handed Halesowen favourite Lennox Clarke in an eagerly anticipated eight round battle with Harlow’s seasoned Richard Horton.

Clarke, 9-0 (3 KOs), has barely dropped a round since turning professional 26 months ago and is aiming to make 2016 a big year.

Horton, however, will be a stern test. The 34-year-old Essex man has won nine of 14 fights and has contested a title on less than three occasions.

On the undercard of ‘Undefeated’, Ricky Hatton-trained trio Nantwich’s Nathan Gorman (1-0), Market Harborough’s Reuben Arrowsmith (3-0) and Wednesbury’s Sam Evans (2-0) are back in action against as yet to be confirmed opponents.

Also appearing are West Bromwich heavyweight Matt Gordon (2-0), highly-rated Swadlincote prospect Zach Parker (3-0), Old Hill’s stylish Manny ‘Pac Man’ Zaber (3-0), Stoke’s Kieran McLaren (6-0) and Birmingham puncher Luke Heron (Walker) (2-0).

Tickets are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (VIP Ringside), and can be purchased by calling 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.

AMATEUR heavyweight sensation Nathan Gorman has signed a long-term professional contract with Hatton Promotions and will have his first outing in Walsall this Saturday (December 5).

The Nantwich teenager won the ABA Youth championships in 2014 and was on the Great Britain Podium Potential squad. He had hoped to push towards a future Olympic spot but the opportunity to be promoted and trained by Ricky Hatton was too good to turn down.

Gorman comes from respected fighting stock as he is a direct descendent of Bartley Gorman, the bareknuckle boxer who was ‘King of the Travellers’ for more than two decades and served as an inspiration to actor Tom Hardy when he was preparing to play the supervillain Bane in the Hollywood blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises.

“Boxing is a big part of my life,” Gorman said. “Ever since I was a little kid, I want to box and it’s a great honour to be given the chance to work with a legend like Ricky Hatton.

“Along with Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jnr, Ricky was my boxing idol and been given the opportunity to be trained by him is unreal.

“I did well in the amateurs so I could have tried to push on, but the chance to work with Ricky every day was too good to miss.

“I think the pros will suit me better anyway because I like to work on the inside and get my shots off and it’s hard to do that in the amateurs because referees get involved too much.

“I’m excited about making my debut. I’ll have a lot of people supporting me and I can’t wait to show people what I can do.”

The December 5 bill is a co-promotion between Hatton Promotions and Black Country Boxing entitled ‘Jingle Brawls’ and is topped by an English super-lightweight title and British elimination clash between Malmesbury’s Joe Hughes and unbeaten prospect Anthony Upton.

On the undercard, fellow Ricky Hatton-trained prospect Reuben Arrowsmith has his second professional fight. Also starring will be Birmingham middleweight Luke Heron, West Brom’s Tom Stokes, unbeaten Ludlow super-welterweight Craig Morris, featherweight prospect Jack Summers, Wolverhampton’s Des Bowater, and stylish Stoke super-lightweight Kieron McLaren.

Tickets are priced at £30 (general admission) and £60 (ringside). They can be purchased from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900 or directly from any boxer on the bill.

ENDS

Picture: Gorman with Ricky Hatton and assistant trainer Mike Jackson.

British boxing royalty Ricky Hatton and Naseem Hamed both believe the big end of year blockbuster showdown between Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday 19th December at the Manchester Arena is too tough to call.

Lee’s WBO World Middleweight title defence against Saunders, his undefeated mandatory challenger, features alongside another big world title fight between WBO World Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Smith making the first defence of his title against Jimmy Kelly, with SIX further big title fights, exclusively live on BoxNation.

Manchester legend Hatton, a four-time and two-weight World Champion, and the British boxings superstar of the noughties who made the Manchester Arena his fortress, said, “For big blockbusters fights at the Manchester Arena, Lee v Saunders is up there with the best. You’ve got the raw, tough, aggression of Lee who’s got the power to turn things around with one punch, matched against the master boxer in Saunders who has the slick and technical ability. This is a real 50/50 fight and for once I’m stumped on picking a winner.”

The decade before The Hitman was ruled by Sheffield showman Naz, a three-time World Featherweight Champion, who lit up the arena with his own brand of fireworks, said, “This is the fight of the year for me because in my eyes you’ve got two guys who are going to have a real fight, not like Floyd Mayweather Jnr. or Manny Pacquiao, they’re not interested in offence, you know these guys aren’t going to run. It’s a 50/50 fight.”

Frank Warren’s end of year title extravaganza ‘X-Mas Cracker’ is headlined by two massive world title showdowns with WBO World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee defending his title against Billy Joe Saunders and WBO World Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Smith making his first title defence against Jimmy Kelly. A staggering SIX further titles are on the line with Mitchell Smith defending his WBO Intercontinental Super-Featherweight title against George Jupp; Paul Butler challenges for the Vacant WBO European Super-Flyweight Championship against Silvio Olteanu; Tommy Langford defends his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Championship; Commonwealth Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Williams and Kris Carlow clash with the Vacant British title also on the line; Jack Catterall defends his WBO Intercontinental Super-Lightweight Championship, and Adrian Gonzalez defends his WBO Intercontinental Lightweight Championship. Plus the undercard features Merseyside favourite Derry Mathews and Indian superstar Vijender Singh.

Tickets are priced at £40, £50, £75, £100, £200 and £300 are available from:

www.frankwarren.com

TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

Manchester Arena
0161 950 5000
0161 950 5229 (disabled access bookings)
www.manchester-arena.co.uk

*Tickets are subject to a booking fee.

The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

ZHANAT ZHAKIYANOV proved he belongs amongst the world’s elite by winning the interim WBA bantamweight title on Saturday night (November 7).

The Kazakh, who is trained by former four-time world champion Ricky Hatton, overcame the tall and tricky Venezuelan Yonfrez Parejo with a split decision verdict in front the of the great and the good of Monte Carlo.

Zhakiyanov had blasted out his previous 12 opponents and hoped to make it 13, but Parejo took him the long route by refusing to engage in close.

The South American’s jab and move tactic gave Zhakiyanov a few problems in the early rounds, but he refused to let his frustration show and continued to patiently stalk his foe before getting off single hooks.

With Parejo tiring, Zhakiynov took control of the fight down the stretch. Urged to “throw more shots” by Hatton, “ZZ” stepped across his opponent and connected regularly with quality punches.

Judges Giuseppe Quartarone and Stanley Christodoulou scored it 116-113 and 115-113 respectively against Levi Martinez’s verdict of 112-116.

“I’m very proud of what Zhanat has achieved,” Hatton, who is also Zhakiyanov’s promoter, said. “He was in with a very good opponent, who gave him a lot to think about, but he stuck to the game plan and got the job done.

“We said we wanted a knockout before the fight and think there were a few times when Zhanat hurt Parejo, but you can’t always have an early night and this victory is still as sweet as can be.

“The people of Kazakhstan love their boxing and I think Zhanat will have become something of a national hero now. They’ve got great fighters like Golovkin and Shumenov at world level already and now they’ve got Zhanat to get behind.

“He can go back home now with his new belt, have some well-deserved time off, and prepare himself for a massive 2016.

“This win has opened the door to the really big fights and I think it’s only a matter of time before he gets his hands on the full WBA title as well as a few more world titles.”

LONDON (10 July) – Manchester hotshot Terry Flanagan is hoping to emulate his hero Ricky Hatton as he challenges for the lightweight world title this weekend.

The 26-year-old faces knockout artist Jose Zepeda, live and exclusive on BoxNation this Saturday night, with the Ancoats boxer looking to become the WBO champion in front of his home fans at the Manchester Velodrome.

His idol, two-weight world champion Hatton, claimed his first title on home soil when he overcame the highly respected Kostya Tszyu at the M.E.N Arena 10 years ago, a feat which Manchester City fan Flanagan is confident he can also achieve.

“What Ricky did in the sport is truly amazing. I remember as a teenager watching his fight live with Tszyu after me and some mates managed to sneak in and the atmosphere in the arena was electric. The place was buzzing,” said Flanagan.

“When Ricky won that fight people knew he was the real deal and all of Manchester was behind him – City fans and United fans. He drew in everyone and that’s something I’m aiming to do with my fight with Zepeda.

“I’m very confident that I can win this fight and bring the belt back to Manchester and become the first English lightweight world champion in history. It’s going to be a special night for me and a fight I believe will make people sit up and take real notice,” he said.

Hatton has been vocal in his backing of the undefeated Flanagan in the run up to the fight, something which only acts as a major boost for the former British champion, who has 27 wins on his record.

“I’m not fazed at all by fighting on such a big stage. I’m just soaking it all in and the support I have been given is fantastic. To hear Ricky is backing me is a huge motivation for me and that can only spur me on come fight night,” said Flanagan.

“When you hear a legend like Ricky is behind you it gives you that drive and push to go out there and do everything to bring the belt back home.

“I’ve been to his gym and spoke with him and he’s got experience of these situations so I’ve just soaked in all his advice. He’s been there and done it so he knows what he’s talking about and it’s great to have someone with that knowledge in your ear,” he said.

Unbeaten Zepeda though, who is renowned for his hard-hitting after knocking out 20 opponents in his 23 wins, will be just as hungry to have his hand raised at the end of the night.

‘Turbo’, however, is unconcerned at facing someone who is a notoriously quick starter, with 19 of Zepeda’s knockouts coming within the first three rounds.

“We’ve worked a lot on Zepeda and his style, and are well aware of what he’s going to bring into the ring early on,” Flanagan said.

“Steve Maylett, my trainer has got me in great shape for this fight and we have the right gameplan going in against someone with an aggressive style like Zepeda.

“I’m going to look to outbox him, use my skills, and will definitely rise to the challenge on Saturday night. I know what he’s coming with and I’m ready for it. I just can’t wait to get in the ring now and give the fans a really exciting, all action fight,” said Flanagan.

Also featuring on Saturday night’s BoxNation bill will be former bantamweight world champion Paul Butler who is looking to bounce back following his loss to Zolani Tete for the super-flyweight world title when he takes on Mexican Gustavo Molina.

Rising star Liam Walsh will also be out as he aims to make it 19 wins when he battles Isaias Santos Sampaio for the vacant WBO Intercontinental lightweight title.

Flanagan vs Zepeda is live and exclusive from 7pm this Saturday night on BoxNation (Sky437/490HD, Virgin 525, TalkTalk 415). Visit boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Collazo and Mayweather vs Maidana.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at Livesport.tv and via apps (ios, Android, Amazon). BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £8 registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

RED HOT Belarussian prospect Kirill Relikh has signed a long-term promotional contract with Hatton Promotions and is now targeting a showdown with experienced Aussie Chad Bennett.

Relikh, 16 -0 (14 KOs), has been trained by four-time world champion Ricky Hatton since February this year and will return to the ring in his home city of Minsk on September 10.

Should he come through that fight, he’s been promised a mandatory shot at the aforementioned Bennett’s WBC EPBC light-welterweight championship.

Bennett, who has recently called out WBA champion Jessie Vargas, won the title on Friday night with a fifth round stoppage of the unheralded Indonesia Stevi Ongen Ferdinandus, and Relikh is willing to travel to Australia to be his first challenger.

Hatton Promotions is keen to make the fight happen and will be looking to complete negotiations with Bennett’s representatives within the WBC’s time limit of 90 days.

“I’ve already beaten one Australian in Ty Gilchrist quite easily and I can’t see Bennett being much tougher,” Relikh said through a translator.

“He’s got a good record with more than 40 fights, but he’s not really fought anyone and I’ve heard boxing fans in his own country don’t take him seriously.

“I expect to go to Australia, beat him and have the fans singing my name.”

Ricky Hatton has handled the careers of a myriad of top class fighters since launching his promotional company in 2009 and he believes Relikh can be as good as any.

“Kirill has that raw potential that really gets trainers excited,” Hatton said. “When he first came over he was a little bit upright, like they are from that part of the world, but I remember taking him on the pads and thinking ‘wow, what have they been feeding this guy?’

“You’ve only got to look at his record, 14 knockouts in 16 wins, to see that he can punch. We’ve added a few subtleties his game now and the sky’s the limit.”

LONDON (19 Oct) – British boxing’s most decorated fighter of the modern era, Ricky Hatton, has tipped rising star Carl Frampton for greatness after admitting he sees himself in the Irish ace.

The super-bantamweight faces off against Frenchman Jeremy Parodi this weekend in Belfast, in a fight which will see the victor get a shot at world title glory in their next bout.

Frampton’s star appeal was made even more apparent after the Ulsterman sold out Northern Ireland’s biggest indoor venue, the Odyssey Arena, with 8,500 tickets snapped up, in what will be only his 17th professional bout.

Hatton has now added his name to the long list of admirers, believing that the man dubbed, ‘The Jackal’, has all the attributes to not only win a world title but cement his place amongst the greatest Irish fighters ever.

“Frampton hasn’t won the world title yet but he’s on the door knocking. You never think it’s going to happen but [starting off] I wanted to emulate my heroes like Barry McGuigan, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Naseem Hamed, whose undercards I was boxing on at the time, said Hatton.

“I think Carl is a world champion in waiting, with the ability he has and the improvements he keeps making. He has the potential to be up there with some of the greatest boxers Ireland has ever had,” he said.

The former two-weight world champion enjoyed an illustrious career having tested himself against the very best, including superfights against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather and Filipino bulldozer Manny Pacquiao.

The Mancunian’s ability as a ticket seller was legendary but with Frampton’s ever growing fanbase, coupled with his desire to challenge the very best around, Hatton believes that they are two boxers cut from the same cloth.

“The thing I like about Carl is that I see very much of myself in him because of his ambition,” said Hatton.

“I didn’t just want to be a world champion I wanted to be the best in the division. Then when I became the best in the division I wanted to become the best in another weight division and then the best pound-for-pound.

“You can see that Carl has that same fearless hunger. As long as you have that fearless hunger you have half a chance, but Carl has more than just half a chance – he will most definitely become a world champion,” he said.

The 35-year-old has called on Frampton to be extra cautious when he gets in the ring on Saturday night warning that nothing will come easy.

However, should he gets past Parodi, then a host of opportunities await.

“He’s got a tough opponent but it’s an opponent he should beat”, said Hatton.

“It’s about opening the door for a world title shot, taking no chances, doing the job and impressing. There’s no easy fight at this level but he’s ready now.

“Every promoters going to want to deal with him when you see the crowds he pulls in everytime he fights in Belfast now,” he said.

“He’s got an exciting style so every world championship organisation and governing body will want Carl fighting for their title because he brings excitement, he brings the fanbase and so much to the table, and, most of all, he’s proved he’s ready now,” said Hatton.

Frampton vs. Parodi is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) from 7pm tonight this Saturday 19th Oct. Subscribe online at www.boxnation.com.

Note: Please include tagline with all pieces

-Ends-
About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £10* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (ch 437), Virgin (ch 546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Plus £10 one off registration fee for Sky TV and new Livesport.tv customers.

LOS ANGELES, March 22 – It’s a back-to-back weekend of boxing classics on March 23 and 30 when some of the sport’s greats including Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Bernard Hopkins, Abner Mares, Ricky Hatton and Victor Ortiz are featured on FOX Deportes Classics.

On Saturday, March 23, it’s a hard-hitting classic doubleheader, when the battle between Two-Division World Champion Abner Mares and former World Champion Vic Darchinyan from 2010 airs at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, then the memorable 2004 showdown between future Hall of Famers Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins follows at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT.

Then, on Saturday, March 30, two more action-packed fights will be featured starting with former World Champion Victor Ortiz’s 2010 battle against Hector Alatorre at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT followed by the memorable 2007 mega fight between then both undefeated fighters Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton at 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT.

2004 Mexican Olympian Abner Mares scored the biggest victory of his career on December 11, 2010 when he rose from the canvas to knock down Vic Darchinyan and go on to win a hard fought split decision victory that kicked off his run to two divisional world championships.

It was one of boxing’s biggest fights in years when Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins met for the Undisputed Middleweight World Championship on September 18, 2004, and after an evenly-matched battle, Hopkins scored a ninth round knockout victory over “The Golden Boy.”

Currently competing on ABC’s hit reality show “Dancing With The Stars,” former World Champion “Vicious” Victor Ortiz wasn’t dancing against Hector Alatorre in their February 25, 2010 bout at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE where he dropped and then stopped the rugged veteran in the 10th round, kicking off his run towards a world title.

Following up his mega-fight win over Oscar De La Hoya in May of 2007, current Eight Time and Five-Division World Champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather finished off that year on December 8 by stopping British superstar Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton in the 10th round to retain his WBC Welterweight World Championship and improve to 38-0 as a pro.

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, visit www.goldenboypromotions.comand www.FOXDeportes.com, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

LOS ANGELES, December 27 – Throughout the years, several British superstars, including Amir “King” Khan, Ricky “Hitman” Hatton and David “Hayemaker” Haye, have fought under the Golden Boy Promotions banner. Today, the Los Angeles-based promoter is pleased to announce the signing of a promotional agreement with a young man it believes will follow in his countrymen’s footsteps, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist for Great Britain, Anthony Ogogo.

“I am delighted to be signing with the premier promoter in boxing, Golden Boy Promotions,” said Ogogo. “So many great fighters have come before me at Golden Boy and in the coming years I hope to live up to the standard they’ve set. I can’t wait to get started.”

“2012 has been without doubt one of the greatest years of my life,” continued Ogogo. “To represent my country at a home Games was an incredible experience and the bronze medal I won will always be close to my heart. Following the Olympics I’ve been looking to the future and considering a number of options, and feel that the time is now right to turn professional with Golden Boy.”

“Anthony Ogogo has everything you look for in a boxer,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “He can fight, he has style and charisma and he has amazing crossover potential. I have no doubt that Anthony has the skills in the ring and the personality outside of it to make him a global boxing star. We are proud to have him on our team and this is just the first step in our growing commitment to British boxing.”

A talented soccer player who played for Norwich City FC when he was younger, Lowestoft, England’s Anthony Ogogo found his true love in the ring where he has been competing since the age of 12. After winning a Junior Olympic Gold medal and Silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, Ogogo earned a place on Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic team. In London this past summer, Ogogo beat representatives from the Dominican Republic, Ukraine and Germany to win a Bronze Medal, thrilling his fans from throughout the United Kingdom. Outside the ring, the 24-year-old Ogogo is a former model and was also a cast member of the 2008 hit reality show, “Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.”

A date, venue and opponent for Ogogo’s professional debut will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.twitter.com/AnthonyOgogo, or visit us on Facebook at Golden Boy Facebook Page.

Vyacheslav Senchenko ended the comeback of former two division world champion Ricky Hatton with a ninth round body punch stoppage in a scheduled ten round Welterweight bout In front of 20,000 adoring Hatton fans at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Hatton came out in his familiar stalking style which made Senchenko a bit uncomfortable. Senchenko used lateral movement in an effort to offset the on-charging Hatton. Hatton mixed up the assault with the body and head with lefts to the body and the right’s upstairs. Senchenko got going with straight right hands in the second. Hatton continued the pressure and was getting through with solid shots but never had Senchenko in any type of distress.

The crowd continued to urge their man on and it was working to an extent but Hatton got sloppy and started eating some right hands and body shots. In round seven, a cut formed under the left eye of Senchenko and some bad swelling started to be visible around Hatton’s right eye. The two fought a spirited eighth and Hatton started out well in round nine until a perfect left to the flank of Hatton sent him down on all fours and the referee counted ten as Hatton gasped in pain.

The bout’s sudden end came at 2:52 of round nine.

Senchenko of Ukraine is now 33-1 with twenty-two knockouts. Hatton of Manchester, UK who was making his first ring appearance in forty-two month since being flattened by Manny Pacquiao will most likely go into a second retirement with a record of 45-3

The scores at the time of the stoppage were 78-74, 77-76 and 77-76 (15rounds.com had it 77-75 for Hatton off of the television viewing)

Follow all the action live as former Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight champion Ricku Hatton returns to the ring for the first time in three years in front of his adoring fans in Manchester, England when he takes on former Welterweight titlist Vyachslav Senchenko in a ten round Welterweight bout beginning at 5pm eastern/10pm Manchester Time/Midnite Sunday in Kiev

10 ROUNDS–WELTERWEIGHTS–RICKY HATTON (45-2, 32 KO’S) VS. VYACHESLAV SENCHENKO (32-1, 21 KO’S)-

Round 1 Senchenko lands a jab..Hatton lands a right and left…Left hook..Senchenko lands a jab…trading jabs..Hatton pressuring…Hatton lands a jab.. left to the body..counter right...10-9 Hatton

Round 2 Hatton lands a right…Senchenko lands a body shot…Lead left from Hatton..nice right from Senchenko..left to body from Hatton..good counter uppercut..Lead right from Senchenko..body shot…1-2…Hatton lands a combo..Left to body from Senchenko..Body from Hatton..19-19

Round 3 Left hook to body from Hatton..jab…overhand right..big left hook..3 punch combo..Good left hook from Senchenko…Hatton lands a right…left to the body..hard left..Nice right from Senchenko..another good right...29-28 Hatton

Round 4 Hatton lands a 1-2…left hook..Senchenko lands a right…Hatton walks through it..big left hook from Hatton…right..39-37 Hatton

Round 5 Double jab from Senchenko..Right from Hatton..Straight right from Senchenko..lead left..body and left hook from Hatton..left…Senchenko lands a jab…49-46 Hatton

Round 6 Good right from Senchenko…1-2..Hatton lands a left..Left from Senchenko…jab..right..left to the bodt..left hook..Hatton lands a jab…right from Senchenko..58-56 Hatton

Round 7 Good right from Senchenko…jab…big left..left to body back up Hatton..Hatton works the body with the left…right counter from Senchenko…Both guys starting to swell under the left eye…right from Senchecnko..both get in uppercuts..Hatton lands a double left..67-66 Hatton

Round 8 Hatton working the body…right to the head..Nice combo..Senchenko lands a counter left and Straight right..right…Hatton lands a double left and jab..straight right from Senchenko..left to the body from Hatton…Right from Senchenko…body..Hatton lands a right…Senchenko lands a 1-2 at the bell…77-75 Hatton

Round 9 The two tangle up and fall to the canvas..Left from Senchenko..Straight right..Straight left from Hatton..right..left…body..LEFT TO THE BODY AND DOWN GOES HATTON AND HE IS COUNTED OUT THE FIGHT IS OVER

NEW YORK (Nov. 23, 2012)—Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and Vyacheslav Senchenko made weight comfortably on Friday in advance of their 10-round welterweight main event bout set for tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 24, on a special evening edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, live on SHOWTIME® at 5 p.m. ET/PT from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Both men weighed 146 ½ pounds or 10 Stone, 6 Pounds, 10 Ounces as it was announced at Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square in central Manchester before a throng of frenzied Hatton fans.

Hatton, a former two-time World Champion and British superstar returns to SHOWTIME® on Saturday for his first fight in 3½ years.

NEW YORK (Nov. 19, 2012) – Former WBA welterweight world champion Vyacheslav Senchenko isn’t intimidated by the prospect of fighting in front of 18,000-plus hostile Ricky Hatton fans. The once-beaten Ukrainian views his fight against the two-time world champ and British superstar at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, as an opportunity to prove that he’s one of the elite fighters in the deep welterweight division.

Senchenko will take on the offensive-minded Hatton in a scheduled 10-round welterweight fight in a special, afternoon edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, this Saturday, Nov. 24, live on SHOWTIME® at 5 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Senchenko (32-1, 21 KOs) went undefeated in 31 bouts before losing the WBA belt to Paulie Malignaggi in his most recent outing last April 29. The match in Hatton’s hometown will be only the third time in his pro career that Senchenko has fought outside his native Ukraine. The 35-year-old will face what he expects to be one of the toughest tests of his career in the 34-year-old Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs), who is coming back after a 3½ year self-imposed exile following a loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2009.

While he’s focused on defeating a “prime” Ricky Hatton, Senchenko admitted that he would like to face another British superstar if he can get by Hatton – Amir Khan.

“I’m not looking that far yet, because when I win this fight I will be in contention for some of the biggest fights out there,” Senchenko said. “I could fight Amir Khan if I win, but right now I’m concentrating on this fight. I’ll have to see what to do next.”

SHOWTIME asked Senchenko Six Questions as he prepares for the Manchester Arena showdown.

Hatton is coming off a 3½ year layoff. Do you think you’re catching him at the right time?

“When I made the decision to fight Ricky I did it expecting the best Ricky Hatton. We know Ricky wouldn’t have come back if he wasn’t at his best – that’s just how boxing is. Ricky wouldn’t have taken the risk if he didn’t think he was 100 percent. So we’re expecting a very hard fight. We’re expecting the best Ricky Hatton, a prime Ricky Hatton.

This is just your third fight outside your native Ukraine. How do you prepare for a fight in front of 18,000 hostile fans?

“I’m very excited that I’m going to Manchester to fight in front of a huge crowd. I had a great camp and prepared the way I always do. It’s an opportunity to shine and show the British my skills. Sure, there will 18,000 Ricky Hatton fans, but once I’m in the ring it’s just me and Ricky. The fans aren’t in there with him.”

Hatton beat Malignaggi, and Malignaggi defeated you. Why will you upset Hatton?

“When I fought Paulie everything went well in the beginning and then I got injured and I couldn’t apply the plan we had scheduled in training. I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. It was a one-time thing because of the injury. I had a good training camp and was able to prepare well, but I got injured. Those things happen in boxing. I thought I fought well but I just couldn’t see anything because the eye was completely closed. Of course, Paul was an odd boxer to fight. Ricky’s fighting style suits me better. I believe it will be a better fight for me. I’ve had a great camp and I’m ready to get back into the limelight with a win.”

What were the main reasons you accepted the fight against Hatton in England?

“This is the way to come back in the limelight – to beat one of the most popular boxers in the world. It would bring me back in the top position, worldwide. If I beat Ricky then I can get another shot at a title.

Once you’re in the ring it’s just you and the opponent. The challenge is to show the 18,000 that I’m the best boxer in the ring. And the fact that the fight is televised in the U.S. on SHOWTIME makes it even better. The stakes are higher now.”

Can you tell us the keys to victory?

“We need a good jab, a good jab when the opponent comes in — and good legs and sharp punching. I’m an old-school, classical boxer so I need to be able to control the fight. I like boxers that come in rather than run away. If I can dictate the pace and not allow Ricky to get into a rhythm, I should be able to execute my strategy and do what I prepared for in camp.”

Do you think you’ll need to knock him out to win a decision in England?

“I’ve got to fight my own game plan. I’m not looking for a knockout; I’m looking for a good, technical fight. A good, distance fight. If I can stop the fight early on that would be good, but I’ll take the points. As long as I don’t get injured I should be fine. There’s no problem with the eye, it was a one-time thing with Paulie. I’ve never had another problem since.”

Former British light-welterweight. IBO International champion and IBF World number 4 Ashley Theophane will fight in the UK once again next month after confirming that he will fight on the undercard of Ricky Hatton’s ring return on November 24 in Manchester.

Theophane’s 39th pro fight will be his first on home shores since dropping the British title in May, as his last victory against Ronnie Warrior Jr. took place in Charlotte, North Carolina in the United States.

‘Treasure’ will be seeking his 33rd win on what promises to be a stellar night in the British boxing calendar in 2012 and Theophane is pleased to have secured a contest on the bill.

Theophane has fought in America 5 times, Germany 4 times and Saint Lucia once. He holds an 80% win ratio abroad and is looking to continue those ways in 2013. “We were in talks to fight in Mexico on November 10th and December 8th in New Jersey. These have been pushed back till 2013 so I’m also excited about that.”

Ashley Theophane has shared a ring with WBC world champion Danny Garcia, former WBO world champion DeMarcus Corley, 2x world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez, former British champion Lenny Daws and former European champion Jason Cook. Only losing to Garcia by one round in a split decision.

Theophane commented “I’m delighted to be on the biggest show in the UK this year,” .

“Some of Britain’s best fighters will be showcasing their talent as Ricky Hatton, Rendall Monroe, Martin Murray, Gary Buckland, Sergey Rabchenko and Scott Quigg are all part of this event.

“For me to be on it ends my year off on a high note to build on for 2013 and the fans are definitely in for a treat.”

Theophane was due to fight WBA world number 6 and former world interim WBA champion Johan Perez on the undercard but will have to make do with his old foe, Lenny Daws victim Chris Truman.

Ricky Hatton v Vyacheslav Senchenko is live on Primetime. To order for £14.95, click on the banner on the WBN website.

NEW YORK (Oct. 26, 2012) – Former Two-Time World Champion and British superstar Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton returns to SHOWTIME® for his first fight in 3½ years when he faces former WBA welterweight titleholder Vyacheslav Senchenko on Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, live at 5 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

The scheduled 10-round welterweight fight will be a special, afternoon edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING followed by a replay that night on SHOWTIME EXTREME®.

This will be the first comeback fight for Hatton, the offensive-minded 34-year-old slugger, since he retired following his loss to Manny Pacquiao on May 2, 2009, with a record of 45-2 with 32 KOs.

Senchenko (32-1, 21 KOs) is a risky opponent who went undefeated in 31 fights before losing the WBA Welterweight World Title to Paulie Malignaggi in his most recent outing last April 29. The bout in Hatton’s hometown will be only the third professional Senchenko fight outside his native Ukraine.

“This is a very dangerous opponent for a so-called comeback fight,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports. “Ricky is showing us that he wants to challenge himself and immediately put himself back in the mix with the top 147 pounders. There are a number of exciting matchups in this division, and with a win Ricky will be right back in upper echelon of the division.”

One of Britain’s all-time most popular fighters, the crowd-pleasing Hatton is a former IBF and WBA 140-pound champion and WBA 147-pound titlist. Eighteen thousand tickets were purchased for the Nov. 24 event even before an opponent was announced.

Hatton battled depression, suicidal thoughts and ballooning weight after going into a self-imposed exile following the loss to Pacquiao three-and-a-half-years-ago.

“People ask if I should come back, will I win, can I be world champ again. They don’t get it,’’ Hatton said. “I’ve already won. I’m here. I saved myself. The end of the ‘Ricky Hatton Story’ was not being knocked out by Pacquiao. I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and showing what I can do. I want to get back in the title mix, but you can’t do that by taking easy fights. That’s why I’m taking on this guy.’’

Hatton will be fighting for the 10th time on SHOWTIME, and the seventh time on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (he fought three times on ShoBox: The New Generation). He registered the most noteworthy victory of his career in his last appearance on the network when he captured the IBF 140-pound title with an 11th-round TKO over Hall of Famer Kosta Tszyu on June 4, 2005, in Manchester.

If triumphant on Nov. 24, his first fight in 42½ months, Hatton could be looking at several high-profile return bouts in the near future, including a rematch with Malignaggi, the current WBA welterweight champion, who Hatton defeated via 11th-round TKO on Nov. 22, 2008.

With a victory, Hatton would also keep alive his chances for much-desired return bouts against the only two fighters who beat him, Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

Former two division world champion Ricky Hatton will make his much anticipated comeback against former WBA Welterweight champion Vyacheslav Sanchenko on November 24th in Manchester, England according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“I can’t wait to get in the ring now and I’m sure that Vyacheslav Senchenko will give me a good fight. It’s one that I am confident I can win, though,” said Hatton, who turns 34 next week.

Hatton stopped Malignaggi in the 11th round of a lineal junior welterweight championship fight in November 2008 in Las Vegas, one bout before Hatton got knocked out by Pacquiao.

“Senchenko lost the last time he fought to Paulie Malignaggi but he has got a good pedigree,” Hatton said. “I’m in great shape, I’m feeling good and I know I can put on a performance for all those watching.

“I’m a boxer who loves boxing and loves to box. I’m driven by a hunger to box and look forward to getting back in the ring on the 24th.

“The most consistent launching pad for future champions for a full decade” ShoBox: The New Generation celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary with a live match between top prospects Diego Magdaleno and Alejandro Perez. Watch highlights from today’s boxing stars who made their bones on ShoBox including Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Robert Guerrero, Kelly Pavlik, Kermit Cintron, Joan Guzman, Victor Ortiz, Paul Williams, Timothy Bradley, Carl Froch, Nonito Donaire, Andre Ward, and more.

Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that former Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight champion, Ricky Hatton has offically announced his retirement from boxing.

Hatton has not fought since getting drilled in two rounds by Manny Pacquiao in May of 2009.

“After a lot of soul searching over the last couple of years I have finally decided to confirm I will never box again and there will be no coming back,” Hatton said. “There have been so many times since the Manny Pacquiao fight when I have woken up and thought I would give it one more go, but it was not to be.

“There have been amazing highs, and although I always wanted to be a world champion, I went beyond my wildest dreams.”

Known as “The Hitman,” Hatton was 45-2 with 32 KOs during a career that began in 1997 but, following his loss to Pacquiao, fell apart due to his battles with alcohol and depression and admission to a rehab clinic after the News of the World published a video that showed him snorting cocaine.

“Beating Kostya Tszyu was my greatest triumph, but there were plenty of other great nights and memories,” Hatton said.

“Since I put on the gloves as a 10-year-old in Hattersley, boxing has been my life and still is,” Hatton said. “My promotional company is going well and I am looking forward to taking one of my fighters on a similar road to me. People say no fighter will ever have the fan base I had, but one of my aims is to make sure one of my boxers gets a bigger one and achieves more than me.”

“Defeating Jose Luis Castillo, unifying the light welterweight title against Carlos Maussa, winning a world welterweight title when I fought Luis Collazo, beating Jon Thaxton to become British champion, fighting in front of almost 60,000 fans on Manchester City’s ground — it seems endless,” Hatton said. “And when I look at my record the only men to beat me were Manny and Floyd — still No. 1 and 2 in the pound-for-pound lists on the day I retire.”

“Away from boxing, I have so much to look forward to,” Hatton said. “My son, Campbell, is a boy any parent would be proud to call his lad and is growing up so fast I wonder where the years have gone. I am about to become a dad for the second time and that cannot happen quickly enough. Jennifer and I are so excited. She is my rock.

“There are so many people I want to thank for supporting me throughout my career and who made ‘The Hitman’s’ journey possible. My family were there for me every step of the way. My mum and dad, brother Matthew, my amateur trainers Ted Peate and Paul Dunne, who taught me to box, my agent Paul Speak, my lawyer Gareth Williams, the British Boxing Board of Control and everybody at Hatton Promotions.

“Sky TV has been fantastic to me and I look forward to continuing my association with them as a promoter, the British media were fair and the local BBC and Granada followed me to Las Vegas. As big a thanks as any must go to the fans that would never stop singing and so often turn Las Vegas into a corner of England. Thank you all, but the fighting in the ring is over and I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends on my journey as a promoter.”

The last month has been about Floyd Mayweather Jr,’s arrest and racist rant, Ricky Hatton’s trip to rehab after looking like a drug cartel’s favorite customer and another lawsuit in the Golden Boy-Top Rank war-without-end.

I didn’t mention Sergio Mora-Shane Mosley. I didn’t see it. I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I was tempted to look for the closest exit. Then, November appeared without a turkey on the calendar.

It begins on Nov. 6 with the rescheduled Juan Manuel Lopez-versus-Rafael Marquez bout at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand, followed by Antonio Margarito-Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 beneath the Jerrytron at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, then Paul Williams-Sergio Martinez II on Nov. 20 at Atlantic City and Juan Manuel Marquez-Michael Katsidis, also at Vegas’ MGM.

If that’s not enough, the banquet continues on Dec. 11 with Amir Kahn-Marcos Maidana at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay.

The sudden sequence of compelling fights, a timely relief to mounting frustration, is also a timely reminder of the game’s inexhaustible quality. Resiliency defines the business, keeps it in business, a lot like the Mickey Ward or Aruro Gatti or Michael Carbajal or any of the other stubborn legends who got up from knockdowns and came back from defeat. .

Make no mistake, nothing in November will mend the damage left by the fractious and failed negotiations for Pacquiao-Mayweather. That’s the one fight that could push the sport off the fringe and back into the mainstream for a few days or maybe a week. But it wouldn’t have won over casual fans or newspaper editors who have never liked it anyway. They would have gone back to ignoring it altogether.

Pacquiao-Mayweather might still happen one day, although reasons for doubt lurk in the four felony counts facing Mayweather, who also was charged with four misdemeanors more than a week ago and within days of a racist video directed at Pacquiao. Meanwhile, an apparent political career is just beginning for Filipino Congressman Pacquiao. Elements are falling into place for a change, which was also evident Saturday in 39-year-old Mosley, whose age seemed to be as much of an opponent as Mora in a dull draw.

The good news about November is that the business can move past Pacquiao-Mayweather, which has been sucking the wind out the sport for all of this year and some of last. The new guard is there, poised to step into the vacuum with a restoration of punches and promise instead of criminal charges and lawsuits.

Martinez promoter Lou DiBella said it best Thursday during the formal announcement of the rematch with Williams.

“We’re fading as an industry,’’ DiBella said. “There are some days I wake up and wonder if the sport is going to be around five years from now. This is the kind of fight the sport needs.”

This is the kind of month it needs, a November which is an appropriate time to say thanks for resiliency that so far has always been there.