ANTHONY CROLLA sensational British lightweight title victory on Saturday night continued Hatton Promotions brilliant run of success.

Underdog Crolla travelled into the lion’s den to tackle Watson at Liverpool’s Olympia for the vacant crown and dominated the local hero before knocking him out in round nine.

Crolla, 24, took the fight at just two weeks’ notice and joins several major champions who are part of the team at Britain’s most ambitious promoters.

The roll of honour includes Chris Edwards (Commonwealth flyweight champion), Steve Foster (European super-bantamweight champion), Matthew Hatton (European welterweight champion), Martin Murray (Commonwealth middleweight champion), Robert Norton (British cruiserweight champion), Scott Quigg (WBA intercontinental super-bantamweight champion) Denton Vassell (Commonwealth welterweight champion) and Craig Watson (Commonwealth light-middleweight champion)

Hatton Promotions president Ricky Hatton said: “Anthony has shown that at Hatton Promotions we are willing to put our fighters in proper tests.

“It was a huge gamble especially as he moved up a division, but it paid off and I am delighted for Anthony.

“Anthony had no hesitation in moving up to lightweight and I am so proud when I look at my fighters right now.

“Our stable is so strong and it is only a matter of time before Hatton Promotions produces a world champion

“It is great that the lads are taking opportunities and not even thinking about it. There are plenty of tough fights coming up, but ones they can win.”

In the coming weeks several Hatton Promotion fighters are involved in major contests, and none come any bigger than Matthew Hatton’s showdown against Mexican sensation Saul Alvarez in Anaheim on March 5.

The bout is currently a 12 rounder and promoters Golden Boy have requested that the fight is for vacant WBC light-middleweight title.

This weekend Watson travels to Wembley Arena where he will face John O’Donnell for the vacant British welterweight crown.

Hatton Promotions stage their first show of 2011 on Saturday February 26 where Salford’s Foster Jr tops the card in the Premier Suite at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, risking his title against Belgian Ermano Fegatilli.

On Saturday March 25, undefeated Mancunian Vassell heads the bill at Wigan’s Robin Park Sports Centre, risking his belt against unbeaten Namibian Bethuel Ushona.

Hatton Promotions are also co-promoters for Amir Khan’s WBA light-welterweight title defence against Northern Irishman Paul McCloskey on Saturday April 16.

For ticket enquiries for all these shows log onto www.brandhatton.com or call 0161 775 7500

DENTON VASSELL will risk his perfect record when he risks the Commonwealth welterweight title against unbeaten Bethuel Ushona next month.

The boxing banker will face the WBO Africa champion at Wigan’s Robin Park Sports Centre on Saturday March 26.

Vassell unbeaten is 16 fights will be making the first defence of the crown he won in a thriller against Lee Purdy last April.

Hatton Promotions head Ricky Hatton sees similarities between his style that thrilled millions and  Manchester star Vassell.

Hatton said: “I do a lot of work with Denton because from a style point of view he us right up my street.

“He is a body puncher, he is strong, a pressure fighter and another great lad who listens to every bit of advise you give him.”

Ushona, 28, has won all 23 professional fights boxing exclusively in his homeland and in South Africa – gaining a good reputation

Ushona comes into the fight having recently outpointed Kenyan James Kimori and Hatton added: “Ushona is Denton’s mandatory and will make it tough or else we would not have taken it.

“He is making really good progress and if he beats Ushona he will be making proper headway.

“Denton hasn’t had a great number of fights to be Commonwealth Champion so that shows the courage and ambition he has. Kids like him with intense ambition show how great boxing is.”

DEZZIE HIGGINSON returns to action next week with his sights firmly set on another English lightweight title shot.

The Blackburn boxer boxes on the undercard of Stephen Foster Jr’s European super-featherweight title defence against mandatory contender, Belgian Ermano Fegatilli in the Premier Suite at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Saturday 26th February.

He is still waiting to hear news of his opponent, but Higginson is just glad to be fully fit ahead of his fight on the Sky televised bill.

Higginson lost an English lightweight title fight to Martin Gethin 13 months ago, and although he has won two subsequent bouts has been suffering from a chest infection.

He said: “I need to get a good win or two and then I will hopefully get another title shot later this year.

“I was out of the gym for a couple of months, but now I am fit and cannot wait to get back in action, and what a big show I have got a chance on.”

In the chief supporting contest, St Helens scrapper Craig Lyon makes the first defence of his English super-bantamweight title against Barnsley’s Josh Wale in a War of the Roses.

Unbeaten British Olympian Joe Murray faces his toughest test so far against Frenchman Daniel Kodjo Sassou who recently extended Scott Quigg

Others hopefuls on the undercard include Belarusian star Sergey Rabchenko tackles former Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Martin Concepcion, Kieron Maher faces Lester Walsh, Richard Towers meets Daniel Bispo, Adam Etches fights Aleksei Tsatiasvili. Like Higginson, Jack Perry meets a selected opponent.

Tickets for’ Night of Champions’ £35, £55 (Ringside) and £75 VIP Ringside, www.brandhatton.com  0844 847 2500 / 0161 775 7500