Hatton Promotions Wins Two British Title Purse Bids

ByBoxing Press

Hatton Promotions have shown their ambition by winning the purse bids for two eagerly anticipated domestic title fights.

They have won the bids for Gary Sykes’s British super-featherweight championship defence against Gary Buckland and Anthony Crolla’s British lightweight title showdown against Scottish ace Willie Limond.

The dates and venue are still to be confirmed, but will be staged on top class promotions televised by Sky Sports later this year.

Hatton Promotions hard-hitting Welshman Buckland is delighted to get his chance against Yorkshireman Sykes. The pair met last year in a Prizefighter tournament which Buckland won, and knocked out Sykes inside 45 seconds of their semi-final.

Buckland, 25, is in red hot form and became one of the few Britons to win in Mexico last month, outpointing Jose Roberto Gonzalez.

Hatton Promotions President Ricky Hatton said: “I am delighted that we have won the bids for two quality contests. I am delighted for Buckland and believe he will beat Sykes, prove himself the best in Britain and then move onto the European stage.

“When they last fought Buckland got it done early, but Sykes will make sure he doesn’t get caught early and I do believe we have a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.

“Anthony Crolla has to be one of the most improved fighters in Britain and has a big chance against Erik Morales in September. He is also keen to defend his British title and Limond is a worthy mandatory challenger. He came close to beating Amir Khan and did well against Morales last year before getting stopped.”

Hatton Promotions continue to keep busy in the summer months staging non televised shows.

This Saturday (July 16), Craig Watson attempts to regain the British welterweight title when he challenges Lee Purdy at Oldham Sports Centre.

One week later (July 23) at Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre, Scott Quigg has the biggest fight of his career when he meets Franklin Varela in a WBA world super-bantamweight title eliminator.

Tickets for each show are available priced £75(VIP Ringside), £55 (Ringside) and £35 General admission and available from www.brandhatton.com http://www.brandhatton.com/ /0844 847 2500/ 01925 755222.

Both cards will be available on the internet for free from 7pm the following evening (Sunday 17th for Purdy v Watson & Sunday 24th for Quigg v Varela). Simply log on to http://www.hattonsports.tv/tv/tv-player