Boxing In Britain: European Champ Steve Foster Jr Gunning For World Honours
Ricky Hatton is backing Stephen Foster Jnr to continue Hatton Promotions magnificent winning run.
Salford’s Foster Jr makes the first defence of his European super-featherweight title against Ermano Fegatilli in the Premier Suite at Bolton’s Reebok Arena on Saturday night (26th February).
Hatton Promotions are currently the most successful promotional outfit in Britain with a stack of champions and young talent bursting through. Craig Watson added the British welterweight title to the trophy cabinet last week and ‘The Hitman’ insists Foster Jr’s belt is going nowhere,
He said: “Steve showed he was world class knocking out Levan Kirakosyan to win the title last year, and by taking that fight proved he would take on anyone. Fegatilli is the mandatory contender and there were no complaints when he was told he had to fight the leading contender before looking at a voluntary defence.
“The European title is bringing him overdue recognition, but he can go even further in the future.â€
An obvious target is Scotland’s WBO champion Ricky Burns, but Japanese duo, WBC title holder Takahiro Aoh and WBA king Takashi Uchiyama are also targets. Foster Jr is ranked 11 by the WBC and 10 by the WBA and expects to rise even higher if he overcomes the Fegatilli factor.
Hatton added: “It is all pretty surreal because Steve has been a close friend for years and we travelled around together as amateurs. Fast forward a few years and I have serious hopes about promoting him in a world title fight.
“I am so proud of all the lads I promote and Steve is no exception.â€
In the chief support unbeaten St Helens fighter Craig Lyon makes the first defence of his English bantamweight crown against Barnsley’s Josh Wale. Former WBC super-middleweight champion Robin Reid makes a ring return on the bill when he boxes Jamie Ambler over four rounds.
Unbeaten British Olympian Joe Murray faces his toughest test so far against Frenchman Daniel Kodjo Sassou who recently extended Scott Quigg
Others hopefuls on the undercard include Belarusian star Sergey Rabchenko tackles former Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Martin Concepcion, Kieron Maher faces Lester Walsh, Richard Towers meets Daniel Bispo, Adam Etches faces Estonian hopeful Aleksei Tsatiasivili , Dezzie Higginson boxes Robin Deakin and Jack Perry meet a selected opponent.
Tickets for’ Night of Champions’ £35, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com 0844 847 2500 / 0161 775 7500