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Ukrainian star Yuri Nuzhnenko has promised to shatter Matthew Hatton’s world title hopes.
Magic Matthew (39-4-2) will be on a brink of achieving his boxing ambition if he successfully defends his European welterweight title against his mandatory contender at Bolton Arena on Friday July 16.
Nuzhnenko is a former interim WBA title holder. He suffered his only defeat in 32 bouts in a showdown with current WBA champion Vyacheslav Senchenko – the man Hatton is targeting.
Nuzhnenko, 34, won his interim WBA belt on the road, outpointing Frederic Klose and has also won bouts away from home in Australia, Poland and Russia.
The Kiev based boxer said: “I see the only one advantage that Matthew has and that is the fight being in his country.
“To me, this is just imaginary advantage. I am not worrying about the fact that I have to fight in the territory of my opponent. I have the experience to fight and win in England, so this is not a problem to me.”
The challenger has won two fights since losing to Senchenko in April 2009 and demanded tapes of Magic Matthew in action from Hatton Promotions matchmaker Richard Poxon.
“I saw video recordings of several fights of Matthew,” said Nuzhnenko.
“He is good strong fighter and really tough guy but I have won against much more efficient and skilful boxers than Matthew.
“There is a big gulf between him and his older brother Ricky. The defeat against Senchenko shook me up and made me a much better fighter. Matthew Hatton will experience that first-hand.”
Another title contest on the bill sees St Helens’ unbeaten Martin Murray (19-0) facing Australian Peter Mitrevski Jnr (23-6-1) for the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title. Bury box office star Scott Quigg (18-0) meets tough Gavin Reid (6-6-1) in a British eliminator.
Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Craig Watson (17-3) steps back down to welterweight to face a selected opponent in a ten rounder.
The star studded undercard includes several top Hatton Promotions prospects including Anthony Crolla (17-2), Matty Askin (6-0), Craig Lyon (10-0), Rhys Roberts (9-0), Jez Wilson (6-1) and Navid Iran (1-0).
Tickets: 0161 775 7500. http://www.ticketline.co.uk/tickets/13246636/a-night-of-championship-box.
Prices are £30, £50, £75 Ringside and £95 VIP Ringside.
