Hatton linked to Norwich showdown

Hatton is working on promotion as he decides whether to retire from boxing

Ricky Hatton could be set to bring his new brand of boxing promotion to Norwich in December.

The former world light-welterweight champion has set up the promotions company after retiring from the ring.

And Norfolk-based trainer Neil Featherby says Hatton has secured rights for a local boxer's next fight.

"We had a call during the last week suggesting they won the purse bid for the Danny McIntosh/Tony Oakey title fight," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"They've got two choices, one to put it on in Norwich, which would suit us and would suit Danny, or they could put it on in Oakey's patch down in Plymouth.

"We want to do everything we can to stage it up here, it would be brilliant to bring big-time boxing back to Norwich," he added.

Featherby, who used to promote fight-nights in Norwich through his company Sportlink, is fitness trainer for Graham Everett's stable of young Norfolk fighters.

He believes the county's young fighters need more nights where they can showcase their talents in front of a home-town crowd.

"One thing we have lost since 2005 is the Norwich Sports Village, for us that was great, we put several show on, three or four a year.

"Since the demise of the Sports Village it's been great for some of Graham's fighters, Sam [Sexton] and Jon Thaxton, who can get the bigger promotions," he said.

"But all these other younger lads who are trying to make a go of it are having to fight away, and it's always harder to fight away from home," he added.

Hatton has an affinity with Norwich after striking up a friendship with former opponent Thaxton.

The two clashed in 2000 at Wembley in a fight Hatton still holds up as one of the toughest of his career.