Boxing: World title bout is boost for sport in Stoke, says Lawton

STOKE-ON-TRENT will host its first world title fight next month when Manchester's Matthew Hatton – brother of Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton – challenges Lovemore N'Dou for the IBO welterweight crown at Fenton Manor.

The show, on November 13, is being promoted by Ricky Hatton, the former world welterweight and light welterweight champion, in conjunction with Stoke's Impact Boxing.

Ricky Hatton says he was persuaded to bring the fight to North Staffordshire after being impressed by the large Potteries contingent who travelled to Las Vegas to see him fight Floyd Mayweather Jr in December 2007.

He said: "When I boxed Mayweather there seemed to be hundreds of people from this area in Vegas.

"They were a lively bunch and kept asking me when would I box in Stoke.

"I'm on a bit of a break from the sport at the moment, but I've done the next best thing in bringing my promotional company and the Sky cameras to the city.

"Hopefully this will be the first of many events we will hold in the area. I'm expecting a great night of boxing".

Impact owner Scott Lawton will be on the undercard of the Hatton bill, although an opponent has yet to be named.

The 32-year-old former English lightweight champion is convinced having a world title fight in the city can only be a major catalyst for local boxing.

Lawton, who will be making his super-featherweight debut on fight night, said: "Boxing in Stoke-on-Trent is definitely on the up. There are a lot of amateur boxers in the area and I believe this sort of event will inspire a lot more of them.

"Anything like this is great for boxing, especially in Stoke. I really want to push it here, and something like this can act as a platform and encourage young people to get involved."

Lawton first met Ricky Hatton six years ago when he sparred with him in the build up to the champion's fight with Ben Tackie.

He explained: "Ricky was let down by a sparring partner, so my promoter asked if I wanted to go along."

Lawton has remained in contact with Hatton, and when the notion of a title fight in the Potteries was suggested he was quick to bend 'The Hitman's' ear.

Lawton added: "When I got chance to sit down with the Hattons, I told them Stoke-on-Trent really needed an event like this, so I'm delighted it's going to happen."

Matthew Hatton, aged 28, is Ricky's younger brother. He has had 41 fights since turning professional in 2000, winning 36, losing 4 and drawing one.

His most notable achievements include winning the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title, the IBF International welterweight title and the British Central Area welterweight title.

N'Dou, a South African-born Australian, was the IBF world light welterweight champion until he lost the title to American Paul Malignaggi in June 2007.

The 38-year-old has fought 58 times since turning professional in 1993, with 31 of his 46 wins coming inside the distance. He was also the main sparring partner for Mayweather before his world title fight with Ricky Hatton two years ago.

Meanwhile, Lawton claims Mancunian fighter Michael Brodie, who has previously held the WBF featherweight, IBO featherweight and British super bantamweight titles, has turned down the chance to face him.

He added: "I don't think the super-featherweight category will be any harder that what I have done already because I've fought some really good competitors."

Tickets for November's event start at £30 and rise to £150. They are available from the Hatton Box Office by calling 0161 775 7500 and online at www.ticketline.co.uk.