BBC SPORT Arabic Spanish Russian Chinese
BBCi NEWS   SPORT   WEATHER   WORLD SERVICE   A-Z INDEX    SEARCH 

BBC Sport
 You are in: Boxing  
Sport Front Page
-------------------
Football
Cricket
Rugby Union
Rugby League
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
Boxing
Statistics
Athletics
Other Sports
-------------------
Special Events
-------------------
Sports Talk
-------------------
BBC Pundits
TV & Radio
Question of Sport
-------------------
Photo Galleries
Funny Old Game
-------------------
Around The UK: 
N Ireland
Scotland
Wales

BBC Sport Academy
BBC News
BBC Weather
SERVICES
-------------
LANGUAGES
EDITIONS

Tuesday, 13 August, 2002, 14:45 GMT 15:45 UK
Hatton sets Smith date
Ricky Hatton lands a right hand to the temple of Eamonn Magee
Magee gave Hatton a tough battle last time out
Unbeaten Ricky Hatton will make his return to the ring on 28 September at Manchester's MEN Arena against Londoner Stephen Smith.

Smith is the current IBC light-welterweight champion and has won 31 of his 32 fights, with his only defeat coming against Bobby Vanzie in February 2001.

Hatton said of his opponent: "He's got a very good record and he's a very skilful and talented boxer.

"It's a potentially tough fight for me but it's one I expect to win"


I was complacent (against Magee) but those mistakes will be put right against Smith
Ricky Hatton

The 33-year-old Smith is not expected to provide as formidable a test as Hatton's last opponent, Eamonn Magee.

The 23-year-old light-welterweight beat Irishman Magee in June but suffered his most difficult moments as a professional.

He suffered the first knockdown of his career in that fight but rallied well to win a unanimous points decision.

Hatton claims the near-upset was a result of complacency rather than ability.

He said: "I was probably a bit too confident. I underestimated him. I'd seen him fight and I didn't rate him.

"It's a bit embarrassing because he's not in my class and I had to take a few shots from him.

"I was complacent but those mistakes will be put right against Smith."

Still in Hatton's sights are the world title belts owned by Australian Kostya Tszyu, who he hopes to tackle in the next year.

"I won't be at my peak for another couple of years," continued the Mancunian.

"In 12 months I'll fight for the undisputed title and I'm pretty sure that I'll win it."

Chief support on the bill in Manchester will be a rematch between Anthony Farnell and London-based South African Rueben Groenwald.

Farnell lost the first bout, in part because of his inability to keep punches above the belt, but he hopes to extract some revenge this time.

 WATCH/LISTEN
 ON THIS STORY
Ricky Hatton
"Smith is a very skillful and talented fighter"
See also:

01 Jun 02 | Boxing
03 Jun 02 | Boxing
Links to more Boxing stories are at the foot of the page.


E-mail this story to a friend

Links to more Boxing stories

© BBC ^^ Back to top

Sport Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League |
Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports |
Special Events | Sports Talk | BBC Pundits | TV & Radio | Question of Sport |
Photo Galleries | Funny Old Game | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales