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Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Eamonn Magee's old rival Ricky Hatton believes he will be British welterweight champion come Friday night.
Magee challenges Fife's British champion Kevin Anderson at the Motherwell Concert Hall, while Hatton yesterday confirmed that his blockbuster world title clash with Jose Luis Castillo on June 23 in Las Vegas will be screened by Setanta Sports - his previous contests having all been on Sky.
Five years on from their exciting WBU light-welterweight title clash before 18,000 at the MEN Arena, Hatton still has a high regard for the only man to put him on the canvas.
"This is a fantastic chance for Eamonn. He's certainly one of the hardest punchers I've faced," said Hatton, in an exclusive interview with the Belfast Telegraph.
"When he knocked me down it was more of a flash knockdown but in the second round he caught me and I was really in trouble though the hardest I've been hit was by Vince Phillips.
"He caught me and I was a lot more trouble but managed to get through it."
Hatton will be tuning in to see how Magee, now a veteran campaigner at 35, handles champion Anderson, 11 years his junior.
"Eamonn may be knocking on a bit but he has that awkward style and he's very skilful and not only does he hit hard but he is very accurate - he's a nasty, snappy puncher.
"With Anderson, what you see, is what you get, he's a bit of slugger and he'll keep coming at Eamonn.
"I guess it's a 50-50 fight but I would have to tip Eamonn. It's a big step up in class for Anderson.
"Against Eamonn I was able to work him out and use my boxing to solve the puzzle but I don't think Anderson has that boxing ability to fall back on.
"And if Eamonn does win maybe we could have another Magee-Hatton fight because my brother Matthew has been making waves at welterweight and it would be a natural defence for Eamonn."
Magee is naturally in confident mood ahead of his showdown with Anderson, who has said he will quit the ring if he loses to the Belfast man.
Magee said: "I certainly won't be quitting if I lose. I'm certainly not planning to lose the fight.
"As far as Kevin Anderson is concerned, it's a very negative thing to be coming from a professional man who is defending his title.
"I don't know where his head is. He won't cause me any problems.
"He boxes the same way every fight and it's like watching paint dry.
"You can predict what way he is going to do, he just comes forward aggressively throwing plenty of punches.
"That doesn't win you fights. Boxing is an art, a skill."
Magee also refuted suggestions that the 11-year age gap will have a significant effect in the latter stages of the fight.
He said: "It's maybe a fight that he doesn't want to go the distance.
"I've been training for this since Christmas. I had a week off after beating Janos Petrovics in February but I've been training three times a day ever since so my fitness is good.
"He is on the way up but it's just unfortunate that he's come across me as the mandatory challenger.
"He hasn't fought the class that I've been in with.
"I'm sure my experience will tell and I'm sure he will find out for himself on the night.
"I know my way around a ring. I've fought all around the world, so where it is makes no difference to me."
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Originally Posted by skel1983
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