Brook vs. Hatton Kicks Off With Sheffield War Of Words

Kell Brook: “This fight has been a long time coming but I am just so pleased that we’re going to get it on – I want to prove on March 17 that I’m the number one Welterweight in Britain. Matthew is a proven fighter and as tough as they come and the Hatton’s have done so much for boxing.

“But this feels like my big night and it’s a dream come true to be headlining the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield. I remember watching Johnny Nelson and Ryan Rhodes fighting in The Full Monty back in 1997, and now it’s my turn to be the big draw – I can’t wait.”

Matthew Hatton: “I always knew that Kell and I would fight. I’ve got nothing but respect for Kell and there’s no doubt that he’s a real talent, but I am peaking at the right time and we’ll see just how talented he is on fight night.

“There’s local rivalry there with the War of the Roses but for me, this is truly a fight with worldwide significance as we are two of the best Welterweights in the World. I want to prove that I am the number one Welterweight in Britain but talk is cheap and on March 17 we will have a definite answer.”

Eddie Hearn: “This is the sort of fight that I love to be involved in – a classic British battle between two great fighters. I fully expect this to catch the imagination of fight fans and the general public and really be something very big when we get to fight night. We talked to World champions for Kell but nothing that was put on the table excited me as much as this fight.”

Ray Hatton: “The fight was talked about a year ago but that was too soon. Kell is a fabulous talent but he’d been too inactive. He’s been impressive in his last fights and Sky Sports see a winner in him so the time is right now for this fight to happen.”

Hatton’s trainer Bob Shannon: “Matthew will be in great shape on March 17 and this is a fight that will be won by who gets their tactics right. I know Kell well and I will live and breathe Kell Brook from now until fight night. He is a proper talent but this is a real test to see just how talented he is.”

Brook’s trainer Dominic Ingle: “Bob is right – this fight is all about the tactics. Kell has Plan A and that’s to win, so Matthew will have to have Plan A, B and C to cause Kell problems. But I’m very pleased Matthew has taken the fight, a lot of other fighters would have turned this down and gone for a World title fight. But he recognises that this is a massive fight, Bob has got him in great shape and I am excited that we are getting it on.”