Matthew Hatton Jabs Zab Judah, Ready For Ndou
By Terence Dooley
Matthew Hatton, 28, goes for his first world title when he tackles Lovemore Ndou, 38, at the Fenton Park Leisure Centre, Stoke later tonight. Ricky’s younger brother has hit a purple patch in recent times, registering impressive wins over Ben Tackie and Ted Bami; N’dou is starting to creak a bit as the wear-and-tear of a long career catches up with him; consequently, the fight could see Hatton emerge as the IBO welterweight boss.
Zab Judah twice left Hatton - ranked at #50 in the latest IBO rankings - in the lurch during the past year. Judah signed for a match with Hatton on the undercard of the original Mayweather-Marquez date, only for the fight, and the bill, to fall through when Floyd injured his rib in training. A second date was set; this time, though, Zab demanded that Matthew drop down to light-welterweight for the fight. Hatton turned Zab down, the fight was nixed and the boxer believes that the blame lies squarely with Judah.
“The first time it was sorted and we were signed to fight at welterweight but the date got put back,” revealed Hatton to BoxingScene.com. “It was rescheduled and we were set to be flying out to Vegas so Gareth phoned them up for the contract but they then wanted the fight to take place at light-welterweight. I was giving away home advantage and experience so I certainly wasn’t going to move down in weight, that is why it fell through.”
“Judah has weaknesses and they’d have played into my strengths,” stated Hatton. “He is a talented fighter but he is a bully fighter and if you take his shots and give it back, which I would have been able to do, then the fight would get interesting. Zab made it clear that he wants to campaign at light-welterweight but he has a fight coming up and that is taking place at welterweight, so it is clear that he didn’t really want the fight. He just wants a few paydays and then he’ll retire.”
Now, though, Hatton can put Judah behind him and concentrate on the dust-up against Ndou, who is ranked at #26 in this month’s IBO ratings. The location of the fight raised a few eyebrows. The Hatton’s draw big support in Stoke but Matthew had always hoped to win a major title before his hometown fans. However, Hatton is grateful to his team for ensuring that he didn’t have to travel to South Africa for the contest.
“Stoke is a funny one,” admitted Hatton. “I’d have preferred the fight in Manchester but Gareth Williams [CEO of Hatton Promotions], my dad and Ricky are the promoters and they will have the fight wherever they decide - a ring is a ring. The team have done very well getting the fight over here as it would have been very difficult to go over to South Africa and to have home advantage is a big plus. I’m challenging for the title because of some big wins and it is great that is over here, and in Stoke. It is nearly a sell-out. Gareth said there aren’t many tickets left. I can’t wait for the night itself.”
Hatton has mixed things up during his sparring, drafting in help from abroad as well as taking on fighters from the local rank and file; the boxer believes that his preparation has been perfect for this one and that an eye-catching win is well within his grasp.
“I’ve sparred with Tim Coleman, over from America, he is 16-1-1 and fighting the tough Mike Arnaoutis in December,” revealed Hatton. “I’ve done some rounds with local fighters Denton Vassell, Johnny Hussey and Dean Harrison. Tim has been ideal really. He’s come forward with wide, arcing punches so it has prepared me for Lovemore.”
“I can box on the back foot and come forward,” declared Hatton. “Lovemore is the same, he’s a pressure fighter but he can also box as well. I’m prepared for whatever he brings. I’ll take it round-by-round and I’ve prepared for a hard, tough fight. I’ve never been on the floor myself and he’s never been stopped. I think there is a possibility that I could stop him but the likelihood is a distance fight.
“Style-wise it suits me and the timing of the fight is in my favour, my preparation has been perfect and I’ve had great sparring. There will never be a better opportunity for me to be a world champion. A lot of people are backing Lovemore to do me but I think I’ll surprise people with my performance and how comfortably I’ll deal with him. If I get past Lovemore I’d like to move up to the level where he’s been fighting - he’s maybe a bit short of the very top but he’s right up there.”
Hatton weighed 147lb at today’s weigh in; Ndou came in low at 145lb.
The fight will be shown on Sky Sports from 10:15pm.
