Hatton Boxing: Vassell vs. Purdy For Commonwealth Title April 16

Denton Vassell (14-0) has been given a surprise shot at the Commonwealth welterweight title and faces Lee Purdy (13-1-1) for the vacant belt on April 16th.

The bout will co-headline with Thomas McDonagh against Gary Woolcombe for the vacant light middleweight title at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena and go out live on Sky Sports’ Friday Fight Night.

The 25-year-old Denton Vassell is undefeated in fourteen professional contests and most recently scored a stoppage win over Kevin McCauley on the undercard of Matthew Hatton against Gianluca Branco.

This will be the first time Vassell is scheduled to go twelve rounds and has not yet gone beyond six rounds in his three and half year career.

Although Lee Purdy began his career just after Vassell he has slightly more experience, having successfully won and defended the Southern Area welterweight title.

Purdy, 22, lost on points to Peter McDonagh in 2008 for the Southern Area title but got revenge ten months later outpointing by McDonagh and successfully defended the title against Mark Douglas last Novemeber.

Thomas McDonagh (34-3-3) meanwhile will get his Commonwealth title shot against former British champion Gary Woolcombe (28-2).

In his last fight 29-year-old McDonagh was narrowly outpointed by Anthony Small for the British and Commonwealth titles, in a fight many at ringside thought he had won. McDonagh has previously held the WBU International light middleweight title and lost to current British light middleweight champion Sam Webb, on points 96-95, last year.

Gary Woolcombe won the British Light Middleweight Title in 2007, stopping Marcus Portman after eight rounds. However, the 27 year old was defeated in his first defence against Ryan Rhodes

Doors Open 6:00PM. Tickets £30-00 General Admission, £75 Inner Ring Floor Seats. Box Office 0161 775 7500.