By Terence Dooley

Hatton Promotions have confirmed that Matthew Hatton is speaking to Matchroom in order to secure a fight with domestic welterweight rival Kell Brook.  Matthew fights under the Hatton Promotions banner but has never had a promotional contract in place.  Older brother Ricky has done a sterling job of guiding the 30-year-old in recent years and is willing to support his sibling’s decision to appear on another promoter’s show if ‘Magic’ can secure a showdown with Brook, Matchroom’s big welterweight hope and Matthew’s long-term domestic rival, or British titlist Colin Lynes.

Indeed, Matthew has often spoken of meeting ‘Special K’ only to be denied the opportunity when Brook was with Frank Warren after negotiations broke down.  Now, though, Kell is one of the jewels in Matchroom’s crown and the Sheffield boxer is seeking a big hometown bout to open his 2012 account.  Eddie Hearn and Ray Hatton, who is working on Matthew’s behalf in a managerial capacity, are trying to thrash out a Brook-Hatton encounter to settle any lingering domestic issues.

A showdown with Brook would be a tough test for the 42-5-2 (16) contender.  However, Hatton’s brave defeat to Saul Alvarez for the WBC light-middleweight title earlier this year saw his stock rise; he has since registered a decision win over Andrei Abramenka, picking up the IBF International title in the process.  A November 25th fight for the WBA interim world title against Ismael El Massoudi fell through leaving the former European title holder kicking his heels until a new fight and date is in place.

Kell posted wins over Lovemore N’dou, Rafal Jackiewicz and Luis Galarza, in Kell’s US debut, this year and one suspects that the confident Yorkshireman would relish a ‘War Of The Roses’ showdown with Hatton.

Gareth Williams, CEO of Hatton Promotions, spoke to BoxingScene earlier today, telling me they are fully behind Ray Hatton’s efforts to make the bout. 

“Kell is on the rise and Matthew’s profile is very good after a strong eighteen months and that world title fight with Alvarez so it would be great if they can do the deal,” said Williams.

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