Hatton Boxing: Ryan Rhodes Laughs Off El Maachi Rubbishing

ByBoxing Press

Ryan Rhodes has dismissed threats from Yassine El Maachi telling the unknown boxer: “You shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as me.”

Rhodes, 34, is world title bound and keeps busy with an eight rounder against unbeaten Rocky Junior on Hatton Promotions gala dinner show at Manchester’s Palace Hotel on Saturday December 4.

El Maachi has threatened to destroy Rhodes, but Sheffield’s former British and European light-middleweight champion fumed: “He is a complete joke.

“If I fought him it would be like a Premier League team taking on a side from the Conference in a major cup final.

“Next year I want to be fighting for world titles and not taking on fighters like El Maachi who is trying to get publicity off my back.”

Hatton Promotions are making moves to ensure that Rhodes gets his world title chance next year and his Brazilian opponent Junior will help shed any ring rust.

Since taking the European light-middleweight title from Jamie Moore in 2009’s fight of the year, Rhodes has fought just once. And in September he was cruelly stripped of the European title, after pulling out of a defence with a back injury.

He added: “Rocky has won all 11 fights and this is the ideal fight to get some rounds under my belt and to shake off the cobwebs.

“I need to be active at my age and next year needs to be a big one for me.”

Also boxing on the card is Commonwealth welterweight champion, Denton Vassell who faces another Brazilian Welson Alves de Oiveira (Jack Welson) over eight rounds and debutant Adam Little.

Although it is a dinner show, Hatton Promotions will not forget fans who just want to watch the boxing. There are 200 tickets available to them on a first come, first served basis.

For those attending the black tie event there will be a reception at 6pm, followed by dinner and the boxing bill.

Dinner Ticket prices – Table of 10, £750.00. VIP Table of 10, £1000.00 and V-VIP Table of 10, £1250.00

General admission tickets are priced at £50.00, but there will be a strict dress code enforced. No Jeans, No Trainers, No Sportswear.

To book your tickets for this special not to be missed occasion call 0161 775 7500, 0844 847 2500 e-mail boxoffice@punch-promotions.com