British Champion Hamilton Rubbishes Challenger Woodhouse

Darren Hamilton says Curtis Woodhouse is ‘an excellent salesman’ but won’t take his British Light Welterweight title away on February 22 at the Hull Ice Arena live on Sky Sports.

Hamilton can claim the Lord Lonsdale belt outright with victory over Woodhouse, who fights for the British title for the first time in his career. Bristol man Hamilton has been in the form of his life in the last two years, claiming the scalps of Ashley Theophane, Stevie Williams and Adil Anwar in his last three clashes for the coveted strap.

Woodhouse owned the English title at Light Welterweight in 2012, losing it controversially to Shayne Singleton in March, and the champion has exchanged barbs on Twitter with the former footballer as they prepare for battle next weekend.

“Curtis is an excellent salesman,” said Hamilton. “After he loses he can go off and be a great salesman, and he has sold the fight well. He believes he is going to win and believes the things he is saying are real.

“There are two fighters in that ring and one of them has a game plan; and the other goes in there to just try his best. In Hull you will see the game plan and the difference with the person who is just going to go in and try his best.

“I have to put Woodhouse in the same calibre of my other opponents. He has boxed two of the fighters I have boxed before [Peter McDonagh and Dave Ryan] so I have to put him in the mix.

“Once upon a time he was in the top ten but since the Derry Mathews performance he has dropped a bit further down, but I have to put him in contention as a contender who can mix it in the top ten.”

Hamilton’s defence against Woodhouse is part of an exciting night of action in Hull, with Olympic Gold medal hero Luke Campbell, MBE, stepping up to eight rounds for the first time in the paid ranks against Scott Moises.

Campbell’s fellow Hull star Tommy Coyle defends his IBF International Lightweight title against Daniel Brizuela, while Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell faces Leigh Wood for the vacant British Super Bantamweight title.

A trio of local prospects are in action in the form of Zak Collins, Joel Haigh and Charlie Payton and there are four-rounders for Manchester’s Hosea Burton and New Malden’s Lerrone Richards and Liverpool Super Middleweight Tony Dodson, who is aiming to secure a Commonwealth title shot against Rocky Fielding on March 15.

Limited tickets remain on sale priced £30, £40, £60 and £120 for VIPs and are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com