The former two-weight world champion promotes fast rising British 135lb title holder Crolla, and believes he’ll become a world force next year.

Hatton wants the Mancunian to face Warren’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim champion Burns next.

Hatton said: “The main forces in the domestic lightweight scene are Ricky Burns and Anthony.

“Promoters should try and work together in order to give the British boxing fans the fights I’m sure they would love to see.
“Although I and Frank have had our differences in the past, the respect I have for him has neither been in question.

“I would sit down with Frank in order for British fans to see the best fights.”

Burns was ringside to watch Crolla retain his title with a points thrashing of Willie Limond two weeks ago, and the England v Scotland showdown between the pair has been mooted since then.

Hatton predicted: “In 2012 I believe that Anthony will beat all-comers and prove himself as Britain’s number one lightweight.

“He is growing into the weight, maturing and the performance against Limond was one of the most dominant by a British champion this year.”

Just thirteen days ago Ben Murphy successfully defended his BBBofC Southern Area Lightweight Title, with a magnificent fourth round stoppage of Tony Owen at the Coronet Theatre in Southwark, London.

This coming Saturday the tough, pitbull-like 31-year old from Hove will move up a weight division to challenge Ashley Theophane for his British Light Welterweight title at the Frank Maloney Promotions event at the Peterlee Leisure Centre.

Murphy got what he describes as a ‘Golden Opportunity’ after originally scheduled headliner Nigel Wright was forced to step aside on medical grounds.

Following a training session under the watchful eyes of his coach Johnny Eames at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, an elated Murphy spoke briefly on his unexpected shot at the British title. 

“I keep pinching myself and asking if it’s real, you know. Yeah I know it’s not even two weeks ago I fought Tony Owen, so this may seem too soon to some, but it didn’t go the distance, it was a fourth round stoppage.  Tony’s pretty decent, a good boxer, but I bullied my way in and stretched him.”

The early night was a blessing for Murphy, who hadn’t scored a stoppage win in more than four years. But it was an outcome he saw occurring the moment the opening bell sounded.

“I knew that was going to happen. I may have been able to out box him as well, but I just knew I was going to take him out and finish the job. I just didn’t want to wait around, so got it done quick and kept my Southern Area title. It’s good I done the job so quickly because now I’ve got a shot at a British title against Ashley (Theophane) on Saturday.”

The phone call came earlier in the week, upon the news that Wright was forced to pull out of the card. One man’s pain turned out to be another fighter’s opportunity of a lifetime, and Murphy didn’t hesitate to accept assignment.

“I still can’t believe that it is happening. Johnny (Eames) called me up on Tuesday and said do you want to take the fight. I jumped at the chance; it’s a golden opportunity for me to come out and prove to people what I can do. I don’t know Ashley personally, I know he used to train here at the TKO, I’ve seen him fight and seen him spar so I’ve seen a little of him. 

“He’s a decent fighter; you can’t take that away from him. That’s why I’m so excited for this opportunity. If I go in there and do this job - I’m so positive, I can see visions of me winning this fight. There are no negatives in my mind about this fight, it’s all positive visions coming to me. I see the British title coming back with me. 

“When I do that, I’m rolling from there and I’m looking forward to it.”

Ashley Theophane versus Ben Murphy, for the British Light Welterweight title, headlines the Frank Maloney Promotions event at Peterlee Leisure Centre, Peterlee, Tyne and Wear on Saturday 10th December 2011, and broadcast live and exclusive on Sky Sports HD1.

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