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Matthew Hatton will face brilliant Mexican youngster Saul Alvarez on Saturday March 5. The European welterweight champion will face the undefeated star at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Alvarez, 20, is unbeaten in 36 professional contests and the hottest prospect in Golden Boy Promotions stable.
Matthew, 29, said: “There is a lot of hype surrounding Alvarez and a lot of knowledgeable people are tipping him for greatness. It is a big step up in class for me, but I have proven myself at European level and I am ready to move on.”
Matthew and trainer Bob Shannon will fly out to California ten days before the clash, and older brother Ricky will be ringside cheering for him on fight night.
Manchester’s Hatton added: “So many fighters say they want to face the best, but when the opportunity comes along their mouths go dry, but this is what I am all about.”
“I will take on all-comers and the experience I have of fighting in big Las Vegas bills on my brother’s undercard will be a great help. I am going there to win and prove that I belong in world class.
“I know that Saul is the house fighter, but Golden Boy Promotions are very fair people and I have some good friends there so I know we will be looked after. A lot of fighters spend weeks in America before a fight, but I will do all my hard training in our Hatton Health and Fitness facility.”
Matthew has just handful of amateur fights before turning professional in September 2000. He boasts a record of 41 wins, four losses and two draws.
He is on a nine fight unbeaten streak and picked up the European 147lb championship last March, outpointing former WBC world title challenger Gianluca Branco.
In Matthew’s first defence he outpointed former WBA world champion Yuriy Nuzhnenko and back in November became the first man to beat Switzerland’s Roberto Belge – stopping him in three rounds.
The majority of Matthew’s fights have taken place in England, but this will be his seventh appearance in the United States. He has also boxed in Ireland and Monaco.
