Hatton Boxing: Steve Foster Snr Fights Back

Steve Foster Snr has come out fighting his son’s corner warning: He’s about to shut up the critics. Salford’s slick Steve Foster Jnr (27-2-1) challenges Russian knockout artist Levan Kirakosyan (33-5) for his European super-featherweight championship at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Saturday October 2.

His dad, former Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Steve Snr feels some critics have been harsh on his son. Foster Snr said: “Jnr is my son first and a boxer second so some of the stuff people say about him can hurt.

“When he wins this fight, they might start being a bit nicer and think ‘Yeah, Foster Jnr can fight a bit’, but there will be others who pick holes. Sometimes I think people write him off because Jnr isn’t an extrovert like me. I am more like Keith Richards and him Cliff Richard, but he is more like his mum and a quiet type.

“He doesn’t say much, but hasn’t got anything to do with his fighting ability. He has amazing heart and bottle” Foster Jnr, 30, has been chasing another major fight since narrowly losing a WBO world title challenge against Alex Arthur in December 2007.

Foster Snr added: “He doesn’t drink, trains hard and is well prepared. He deserves this break because nothing has gone right since the Alex Arthur fight. I am no fool and know that this is a hard fight. If I didn’t think he could compete at this and world level do you think I would let him fight?

“He is above domestic level and although there will be tough moments against Kirakosyan he will win and prove he belongs at the highest level.”

Kirakosyan, 36, won the title in February in Stoke when he stopped Scott Lawton in the third round, and in a July defence beat Francisco Nohales in two rounds to set up the Foster Jnr clash.

Hatton Promotions matchmaker Richard Poxon has put together a top class undercard featuring some the best young fighters in British boxing. A brilliant derby sees Manchester rivals Andy Morris and Anthony Crolla slug it out for the vacant English super-featherweight title after Hatton Promotions won the purse bids.

Unbeaten St Helens fighter Craig Lyon will tackle Sheffield’s fighting soldier Ross Burkinshaw for the English bantamweight title. The undercard features a battery of prospects including Britain’s number one heavyweight prospect Richard Towers, John Fewkes, Adam Etches, Rhys Roberts, and Matty Askin.

Tickets prices at £75 VIP Ringside, £50 and £30. From 0161 775 7500. www.ticketline.co.uk