By Lee Collier
Matthew Hatton returns to action on the 19th of February at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke against 20-year-old Georgian Mikheil Khucishvili, 13-9-2 (4 early), in an eight round contest before attempting to get a fight against the winner of the Giancluca Branco-Yuri Nuzhnenko European welterweight title contest, which takes place on the same night.
The last time Hatton boxed was in November when he drew against Lovemore N’Dou in an IBO welterweight title fight, which meant the 38-year-old South African kept his title. At the time Hatton was disgusted with the decision after feeling he had done more than enough to win the fight and this view remains unchanged.
“I thought I won the fight pretty clearly to be honest even though some of the rounds where quite nip and tuck with not much going on. I thought I was throwing more shots and landing more shots and forcing the fight in the close rounds so I felt them rounds should have been scored in my favour,” recalled Hatton to BoxingScene.com.
“I know a lot of people felt it was close fight but I felt I won it by three or four rounds so I’m still annoyed and disappointed but you just have to move on with your career.”
Hatton’s disappointment nearly turned into dream when a muted fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr in England was discussed. With Mayweather looking at fighting Shane Mosley, Hatton is left facing a boxer who has been defeated by fellow Hatton Promotions fighter Martin Murray in a keep busy fight in preparation for a European title shot.
“The fight [with Floyd] isn’t going to happen and some people say it was never going to happen but I’m sure if you speak to Richard Schaefer or anyone like that they’ll confirm it was a possibility,” explained Hatton.
“I was at a family party and Gareth [Williams, Hatton Promotions CEO] said Richard Schaefer had mentioned the possibility of Floyd fighting over here [in England] and would I have been prepared to fight him.”
“I have always had the same attitude that I’m prepared to fight anyone and not many fighters get a chance to step into the ring with one of the best fighters of all time, which would have been a fantastic experience. It would have been my biggest payday, and that’s why boxers turn pro so of course I would have taken it,” declared the 37-4-2 (14) boxer.
Hatton realises that all the odds would be stacked against him if he were to face a man considered by many to be pound for pound the best fighter in the sport today. “To have beaten Floyd it would have taken nothing short of a miracle but you have to believe in yourself,” explained Hatton.
“I certainly think I would have made the fight really competitive, I have a really good chin and I have never been down as an amateur or a pro and have sparred with some really good fighters and big hitters. There is no way Floyd would have stopped me and I would have handled myself with respect.”
If Hatton gets his wish for a European title shot it will leave the British title as the only belt the 28-year-old hasn’t contested, which is something that disappoints the fighter. “It is one of the biggest regrets of my career,” said a bemused Hatton.
“I have been desperate to fight for a British title for so long and for whatever reason and politics it just hasn’t happened. It seems every decent welterweight has had a crack at the title and for the last few years it has been changing hands. After I beat Ben Tackie my dad spoke to the BBBoC about making me the mandatory challenger and they said I needed to beat a top domestic fighter.
“It seems like there is one rule for one and one for another. Matthew Macklin, who is a good friend of mine and deserved his [British] title, boxed a Serbian and an African before he was made mandatory - they are not domestic names. I beat Ben Tackie and Ted Bami and there was still no shot.”
Hatton continued: “Only a few months ago I was offered Kell Brook at 11 days notice and the money was poor. I jumped at the chance and accepted the fight and whilst waiting for the contract to come through [Frank Warren Promotion’s matchmaker] Dean Powell rang up and said they wanted options on my next three fights.
“I have no problem with Frank Warren but with the history between Frank my dad [Ray Hatton] and Ricky they must have realised when they approached me that I wouldn’t give up fight options. I think they offered the fight at late notice with poor money hoping I would turn it down.
“Obviously Kell Brook is a confident guy and an excellent fighter who would be confident of winning but maybe the team around him aren’t so confident otherwise they wouldn’t have let the three fight option get in the way of a good fight at the MEN, where I would have sold a lot of tickets. I would still love to fight for the British title if the opportunity comes along.”
