By Phil D. Jay

Matthew Hatton is more than capable of capturing a world title for Manchester this Saturday night when he takes on Mexican superstar Saul Alvarez in Anaheim, according to Denton Gym boxing trainer Joe Gallagher. The vacant WBC junior middleweight title will be at stake in the fight.

Former Amateur boxer Gallagher, who trains British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla and European lightweight champion John Murray among others, spoke about Hatton’s chances this week in his column in the Manchester Evening News.

“If Matthew Hatton returns from California with the belt last worn by Manny Pacquiao, it will almost be as big an upset as if he beat the great man himself,” said Gallagher.

“Hatton has been handed a chance that he never expected to happen. Stepping up a weight, he’s landed a world title shot out of the blue after Pacquiao vacated the belt and having been given that chance, he’s not about to let it go without a fight.

”He won’t be overawed and he is perfectly capable of walking out of the Honda Centre with the WBC belt around his waist,” he added.

29 year-old Hatton, who has 41 wins in 47 contests, will need every ounce of that experience when he faces the 36-fight unbeaten 20 year-old in California. And despite being a 4/1 underdog, he will need to take the young Mexican at least inot the later rounds to stand a chance.

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net