Boxing News Boxing News
Ricky Hatton will make his ring return in Nottingham on Friday, September 5 – but the world’s top light-welterweight will not be donning the gloves.
Instead, ‘The Hitman’ will be in the corner of younger brother, Matthew who meets Scott Woolford in an eight-round welterweight battle.
And, it will be the first time either of the Hatton’s has boxed professionally without Billy Graham as their trainer.
Matthew, 27, left Graham in June and 29-year-old Ricky split with the trainer just two weeks ago.
Matthew, who has a record of 33 wins, four losses and a draw, is confident of returning to winning ways after being outpointed by local Manchester rival Craig Watson.
That defeat against the Commonwealth welterweight champion was a setback, but Matthew believes he can get back into major title contention now highly regarded Lee Beard is training him.
Beard will be head trainer on the night when he faces Ramsgate’s Woolford, and he will be assisted in the corner by ‘The Hitman’.
Matthew said: “I wasn’t 100 per cent when I lost to Craig Watson, but I’m not making excuses. The better man won on the night.
“There are some big fights at welterweight for me and I would love a return with Watson, but right now that is up to him. I have to prove myself all over again.
“Things are going well with Lee and I’m learning more all the time, but it is up to me to show improvement in the ring.”
Woolford, 24, has lost just once in nine contests with the solitary defeat coming against Yassine El Maachi.
Headlining the show at Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre is Rendall Munroe who risks his European super-bantamweight title against Frenchman Arsen Martirosian.
To buy tickets for this top class night of boxing action which will also be screened live on Sky Sports call the box office 0871 226 1508 or buy online at frankmaloney.com.
