Boxing Preview: Hatton and Belge are ready for a world title fight
Date: Friday, 26 November, 2010
Venue: Reebok Stadium, Bolton, Lancashire, UK.
Contestants: Matthew "Magic" Hatton (40-4-2, 15 KO) vs. Roberto Belge (25-0-1, 4 KO).
Title: European Welterweight Title
Matthew Hatton will be defending his European Boxing Union (EBU) Welterweight Title against Switzerland’s Roberto Belge This would be the second time Hatton will be defending the title he won in March, defeating Gianluca Branco after a 12-round decision.
Preview
Hatton should be feeling very confident ahead of the bout, given that his last title defence came at the same venue in July this year, when he beat Yuriy Nuzhnenko by a two-round decision. Hatton threw some powerful punches and had a great strategy in an
impressive display of boxing. Hatton is currently ranked sixth in the division and will get a shot at the world title if he keeps winning.
Hatton will however still be wary of his opponent, as he looks to keep his world title bid on track and live up to the family’s rich boxing heritage. Belge has a fantastic record of being undefeated in his boxing career. He has never lost once in 25 fights,
and the only blotch in his career so far is a draw against Michele Mottolese in 2006.
Write it down
Boxing fans must keep in mind that this is a Matthew Hatton fight, which means you can expect the unexpected. Hatton is famous for the way he always throws away the script and produces an entertaining fight.
Open Challenge
When Hatton was asked about his opponent’s unbeaten record, he said, “It is an outstanding record and unbeaten fighters believe they will never lose, but he will on Friday night, believe me.”
Roberto Belge’s Interview
Hatton was a bit aggressive and over confident during his interview, while Belge proved himself to be an “open hearted boxer,” as he praised his opponent. Belge said, “Hatton is a great fighter, wins well against great fighters, had an intensive rhythm and
I respect him as a great champion.”
Quotable
Hatton had an intense training regime in the lead up to the fight. However, he called the training camp as one of the best training camp of his boxing career. “This has been my best training camp ever. Everything has come together and I want to show I belong
in the world class. I am physically coming into my peak and I believe this is the best training camp I have ever had.”
Physical fitness plays a very vital role in boxing fights, and Hatton says he is one hundred percent fit for the fight, “I feel unbelievably well. There have been no niggles, no injuries, good sparring and I feel really fresh.”
Conclusion
Roberto Belge flew into Manchester on Wednesday to face defending Champion Matthew Hatton. The Swiss boxer was understandably confident of the task ahead.
Though he’s had a great build up to the fight, Hatton has to keep in mind that his opponent is a tough fighter and has not tasted defeat as of yet.
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