Hatton Boxing: Crolla vs. Rees Added To “King Khan Returns”

An action packed night of boxing, stacked with Britain’s finest prospects, has just got even better as British Lightweight Champion Anthony Crolla is now lined up to face former WBA Super Lightweight Champion Gavin Rees on the April 16 ‘King Khan Returns’ card taking place at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester.

‘Million Dollar’ Crolla dazzled in his last outing, knocking out John Watson in the ninth round to claim the British lightweight title, but in Rees he now faces his toughest test to date stepping in against a former world champion who has only tasted defeat once in his 35 fight career.

Amir “King” Khan will lead the bill as he returns home to defend his WBA Super Lightweight Title against undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey.

In what is sure to be a brilliant night of boxing presented by Hatton Promotions in association with Khan Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, Crolla and Rees join a host of top quality fighters including world title contender and European Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin who takes on savvy German Khoren Gevor, British Welterweight Champion Craig Watson who will defend his belt against Lee “Lights Out” Purdy and rising star Scott Quigg, lined up to face the tough Andrei Isaeu.

“I am delighted that we have managed to add yet another excellent fight in Anthony Crolla and Gavin Rees to a card that is already bursting with some super fights,” said promoter Ricky Hatton.

“Anthony showed in his last fight the potential he has moving up from super featherweight to claim the British lightweight title. He is a very exciting fighter but will have his work cut out against someone as experienced as Gavin Rees,” he said.

“Rees once held the title that I held and now Amir holds, so that shows the level he is at. This is a fight between two guys in their prime with the winner hoping to propel himself into world title contention,” said Hatton.

“April 16 is going to see one of the best cards that we have seen in a long time in this country, with so many titles on the line. We are extremely pleased that we have been able to put together such a great bill of boxing featuring some great champions and no doubt future world champions,” he said.

The full fight list includes: Matthew Macklin vs. Khoren Gevor, Craig Watson vs. Lee Purdy (British welterweight title), Anthony Crolla vs. Gavin Rees, Scott Quigg vs. Andrei Isaeu (WBA super bantamweight interim title), Martin Murray vs. John Carvalho (WBA middleweight interim title),Dezzie Higginson vs. Andy Murray, Jamie Kavanagh vs. TBA, Richard Towers vs. TBA, Adam Etches vs. TBA and Tasif Khan vs. TBA.

“King Khan Returns,” the WBA super lightweight championship fight featuring Amir “King” Khan defending his title against undefeated European Champion Paul McCloskey on April 16 at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, is a 12 round bout presented by Hatton Promotions in association with Khan Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.

The event will produced and broadcast live on Sky Box Office and in high definition on Sky Box Office HD in the U.K., with the main event being aired on a delayed basis in United States on HBO.

U.K. viewers can order the fight on Sky Box Office for £14.95 by calling 08442 410 888.

Tickets for Khan vs. McCloskey, priced at £300, £200, £125, £75, £50 and £40, are on sale now and may be purchased at the M.E.N. Arena Box Office, by calling +44(0)8448478000, or online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.men-arena.com.