Hatton Boxing: Lawton vs. Kirakosyan For European Title Feb 19

Scott Lawton will hope that hometown advantage pays off when he challenges Leva Kirakosyan for the vacant European Super Featherweight title on February 19th at Stoke’s Fenton Manor Sports Complex.

This will be Lawton’s first shot at fighting for the European title, though last year he contested the British Lightweight title against John Murray. Despite the stoppage defeat to Murray, Lawton returned in fine form last November, dropping down in weight and stopping former WBU and English titlist Derry Mathews.

In contrast Leva Kirakosyan, won the European title in 2007 when he defeated Antonio Joao Bento and made one successful defence, against Britain’s Carl Johanneson, before losing the belt to Sergey Gulyakevich.

The Algerian has already fought three times in the UK, defeating the aforementioned Johanneson in 2007 (KO 4) and 2004 (KO 1). His first visit to the UK however, came prior to the Johanneson bout when he was stopped in six by Michael Gomez for the WBU Super Featherweight title. It is also notable that Kirakosyan fought Juan Urango, who would later go on to fight Ricky Hatton in 2007.

In chief support Stoke’s Chris Edwards will attempt to reclaim the Commonwealth Flyweight title in facing Namibian Abmerk Shindjuu. Edwards won the British and Commonwealth Flyweight titles at the start of 2009 against Wayne Bloy and successfully defended them against Usman Ahmed in May. However, he lost the British title to Shinny Bayaar in October and was subsequently stripped of the Commonwealth strap.

Also on the card Danny McIntosh defends his English Light Heavyweight title against former British champion and recent Prizefighter winner, Tony Oakey whilst Gary Buckland faces the undefeated Sam Rukundo in a ten round Commonwealth Lightweight eliminator.

Martin Murray and Scott Quigg will look to continue their unbeaten records when they take on Shalva Jomardashvili (26-1) and Nikita Lukin (10-17) respectively.

Matthew Hatton meanwhile will stay busy with a match against Mikheil Khucishvili, who faced Martin Murray last year, and there will also be outings for Andy Morris, Steve Foster, Sergey Gulyakevich and for Craig Watson who faces Welshman Barrie Jones.

This will be Hatton Promotions second bill of the year, following our hugely successful bill at Altrincham Leisure Centre, and will be televised live on Sky Sports ‘Friday Fight Night’.

Ticket Prices: £30.00 General Admission, £50.00 Ringside, £75.00 VIP Ringside. 0161 775 7500. Ticketmaster: 0844 847 2500.