British Invasion: The UK Vs. The World

It’s the big battle before the huge war. On the eve of Ricky Hatton’s WBC and Ring Magazine welterweight championship showdown against Floyd Mayweather Saturday night, his countrymen will be fighting in force Friday night against hard-nosed battlers from around the world on a card aptly titled “BRITISH INVASION: THE U.K. VS. THE WORLD, ” at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas and televised live across the United States on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo (9 p.m. ET/PT).

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In the televised co-main event, presented by Golden Boy Promotions, undefeated Manchester native John Murray (21-0 12 KOs) fights in a 10-round lightweight bout against Mexico’s hard-hitting Miguel Munguia (16-9, 13 KOs) that should be a barnburner. Additional U.K. stalwarts in action on this night of world-class professional boxing will include unbeaten Scottish rising star Craig McEwan (8-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight bout against Los Mochis, Mexico’s Alfredo Contreras (6-2-1, 1 KO); Salford lightweight Lee Meager (21-2-1, 8 KOs) who will step in with Mexico City’s Jose Gonzalez (14-4, 6 KOs); Walsall’s Martin Gethin (10-0-1, 4 KOs), who will take on Nicaragua’s Ramiro Rivera (4-5, 3 KOs); London middleweight Jimmy Campbell (10-1, 7 KOs) who will battle New Jersey’s Richard Pierson (5-1, 3 KOs) in a six rounder; and Wolverhampton’s Dean Harrison (9-0, 1 KO), who will match wits and fists with the Dominican Republic’s Ramon Guevara (8-13-2, 6 KOs).

In the other televised co-main event 160-pound contenders Bronco McKart and Enrique Ornelas revisit their exciting battle from this past August in a 12-round rematch for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) middleweight crown. McKart won their first fight via a razor-thin split decision. Also in action will be highly regarded U.S. amateur star Karl Dargan making his pro debut against Las Vegan Roberto Norris (1-0).

Tickets for “The British Invasion,” priced at $125, $75 and $50, may be purchased at any MGM Grand box office outlet or by calling MGM Grand at 702-891-7777. Fans also can obtain tickets at all Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall and Ritmo Latino), by calling Ticketmaster at 702-474-4000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the first bell will ring at 4:30 p.m.