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EXCLUSIVE: Campbell Hatton – Once in a Blue Moon

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Ricky Hatton struck a chord with the British public during his heyday Photo Credit: Action Images

Campbell Hatton during public training before his debut. Photo credit: Independent.

Boxing is a sport that can harm a person in many ways. Often, when a warrior becomes a parent, they beg and pray that their child will not follow in their footsteps.

The current British fighter lineup includes the second generation of Benn, Eubank and, most recently, Hatton. Campbell Hatton decided to lace up the gloves and continue his career in the same way as his father, Ricky.

The aforementioned Nigel, Chris and Ricky have cemented their legacy in the sport of boxing, financially securing their and their children’s futures, and yet they all still witnessed their offspring climbing the ropes, but why?

“Just because if you look at the highs, how good they are,” Campbell told proboxing-fans.com.

“Like any sport, if you succeed in it, it will be a great feeling. But I think boxing or any other combat sport where it’s just one-on-one has to be times 100 because you know that when you get them and you win and you succeed, you’re the only one who’s done it.

“That’s why I think in boxing there are the highest highs but also the lowest lows because it’s the same when you lose. I think the ups definitely outweigh the downs. I just can’t wait to see where things go.”

Ricky Hatton impressed British audiences during his heyday.  Photo: Action Images
Ricky Hatton impressed British audiences during his heyday. Photo: Action Images

Ricky Hatton is part of his son’s management team and as a man who has not only been there and done it all, he will naturally have his son’s best interests at heart.

“I actually benefited from his experience and advice, which is the one thing he didn’t have.

“It puts me in a great position because not only did I get advice on what to do in the ring, but also advice on what to do at home and how to deal with all the other things around it. So I’m really joyful.”

This is often the case in the British mainstream media, where sports superstars are shamed and put on the front pages whenever they make a mistake. Ricky was no exception, he was nicknamed “Ricky Fatton” after he yo-yoed with his weight during his absence from training camp.

Ricky adopted the taunts of “Ricky Fatton” and mocked the claims. Photo source: Telegraf

Ricky has overcome all these shadowy life experiences and believes that Campbell will stand him in good stead because there is no one better to advise him on this shitty issue.

“I think he will be the first to say there are a lot of things he could have done differently and he won’t let me make the same mistakes.

“I’m a lot like my dad, both in and out of the ring, but luckily I have his knowledge that allows me to see what can happen if you don’t behave like that between fights as well.

“I know the impact it can have, and I know I won’t make the same mistakes.”

Campbell made his debut in front of 500 fans in Gibraltar in March during the Dillian Whyte vs. Alexander Povetkin match. It was an opportunity to showcase his skills, excite fans about his modern breed of Hatton, and start being Campbell Hatton and not just Ricky’s son.

Campbell Hatton secured his first professional victory.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Campbell Hatton secured his first professional victory. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Social media was in full swing throughout fight week, but as we’ve become accustomed to, social media is fickle, and keyboards across the country were frantically typing out words of dismay and negativity following Campbell’s performance.

“I don’t pay much attention to social media,” said the 20-year-old.

“Of course the opponent was narrow in terms of skill and didn’t offer much to put pressure on me, but he wasn’t stopped.

“The people who say, ‘Oh, we have to get him out of there,’ are people who don’t really know boxing and don’t know what these journeymen are about.

“I didn’t underestimate his ability because he didn’t offer much offensively, but I don’t think I was mentally prepared for how tough these journeymen were.

“Going forward, it’s just another experience and another piece of knowledge that I’ve gained, but you can’t just roll it over. So moving forward, I’ll have a little more patience. I know you can’t just raze them to the ground, they’re there to do their job, right? And then that’s exactly what he did.”

Ricky, Campbell and Matthew Hatton on fight night. Photo credit: Boxing Scene.

Hatton admitted he felt like he wasn’t even using half of his abilities in the ring, but he can’t wait for May 1, when he will show how much he knows he can perform in his hometown of Manchester.

Thinking back to his debut, the super featherweight fighter recalled how emotional his entire family was. Father, Ricky was caught on camera shedding a proud tear as the blue moon poured out of the speakers.

“It was a great night for the whole family, not just me, dad, Matthew and I. Everyone at home was a nervous wreck watching it too.

“Everyone has been through it, me, dad and Matt, and I think during the ring walk even Adam Smith said on commentary how it brought him back.

“From what everyone told me, they said it was terrifying, like I had gone back in time all these years. This is what he wants. Not only success in the ring, I want people to treat me like they loved me, my dad. My dad said it was his greatest achievement. To be loved by fans in the same way, that would be my dream.”

Campbell twirls his ring. Photo source: TalkSport.

Campbell recognized his flaws on his debut, the pressure was contributed to by his extensive media work, interestingly Hatton said “I’ve always dealt with name pressure quite well” and without the weight of his debut on his shoulders he looks forward to a long and fruitful career.

Hatton’s fighter before him, Ricky, advised his son that there were only positives to take from the professional bow.

“One thing my dad told me was, ‘If you want to be a champion, you have to deal with it. So you’re in a good position and you’ve already had a taste of it early on, so it won’t be as gigantic of a shock to you in the future.”

Looking ahead now, one thing is certain, Campbell Hatton is ready. A player like his father only comes along every once in a while and if he achieves half of what Ricky has achieved, he too will be a fan favorite.

Watch the full, uncut interview in the video below:

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Interviews

Eddie Hearn wonders if Tyson Fury will return

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Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing aged 36 Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will change his decision to retire Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will change his decision to retire Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will retire after a legacy-defining clash with Anthony Joshua.

Fury stunned the boxing world on Monday when he announced his retirement from the sport, leaving behind a megafight with Joshua.

The “Gypsy King” announced his shocking decision less than a month after suffering, among other things, second defeat in a row against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad, but Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, is convinced that the fighter from Morecambe will return to the ring to fight the long-awaited showdown with “AJ”, who is returning after a fifth-round defeat to Daniel Dubois.

“In my opinion, I think he will come back,” the 45-year-old said talkSPORT.

“But I don’t know him well enough to judge that.

Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“He’s coming back after two defeats, and these defeats hurt the boys.

“AJ was devastated by the defeat to Dubois and I’m sure Fury was too [with his defeats to Usyk]both are winners.

“I don’t know if Fury can leave one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport on the table.

“I know he’s a competitor. I know he will want to give the British fight fans what they want and I hope we see more of him.

“But if we don’t, God bless the speed and all the best.”

Fury's retirement will be a major blow to Joshua. Photo: Mark Robinson/Michelle Farsi/Matchroom Boxing
Fury’s retirement will be a major blow to Joshua. Photo: Mark Robinson/Michelle Farsi/Matchroom Boxing

Fury hung up his gloves after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return eight months later for a third fight with Derek Chisora, whom he defeated comfortably at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Hearn said Joshua will now look to secure a clash with the winner of the February 22 fight between his former rivals Dubois and Joseph Parker, who will fight in Riyad for the IBF heavyweight world title.

If Fury returns to fight AJ, the Matchroom boss insists the loser would have nowhere to go.

“They would both be devastated by defeat,” he added.

“It’s one thing to lose the world heavyweight title, but at the same time losing in a fight of this magnitude is the biggest bragging rights.

“At this stage of their career, the last word is goodbye.

“Whoever loses this fight is finished and whoever wins it moves on and that’s what you fight for.

“You’re not just fighting for a legacy, you’re fighting to save your career.

“It’s a huge fight, but it’s not on the table right now.”

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Interviews

Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall

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Simpson proved too much for Woodall Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Callum Simpson defeated Steed Woodall in the second round in Sheffield Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Callum Simpson defeated Steed Woodall in the second round in Sheffield Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles after a second-round victory over Steer Woodall on Saturday at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.

Simpson (16-0, 11 KO) proved too good for Zak Chelli in his last competition and went on to sweep wide and claim the British and Commonwealth titles last August. Woodall (19-3-1, 12 KO) picked up his best career win, stopping Lerrone Richards in six rounds in an upset in Bolton last June.

This attack ended quickly in the second round, with a right uppercut that left Woodall on wobbly legs, and then another attack punctuated by another right uppercut, leaving “The Stallion” on the deck.

Despite beating the count, referee Mark Bates waved off the fight shortly afterwards.

Simpson dedicated his victory his dead sisterwho died tragically in August in a road accident.

Simpson proved too much for Woodall. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Simpson proved too much for Woodall. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

“It’s bittersweet,” the 28-year-old said Heavenly sports after the fight.

“I won these titles in front of all my fans, but there’s one person that I think everyone knows who I wish was here, but I know she’s looking down on me and I make her proud.”

Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Dubois is tied with Camara

On the card below, Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KO) made her first defense of her WBC lightweight title against Canadian Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KO), but the fight ended in a technical draw.

The fight was stopped due to a cut to Camara’s left eye from the head collision, and she also went down in the first round.

Dubois had a technical draw with Camara Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Dubois had a technical draw with Camara Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Forrest stops Miller

Cruiserweight prospect Scott Forrest needed just two rounds to defeat Deevorn Miller.

Miller (8-3, 6 KO) lost once in the first and second rounds, while Forrest (7-0, 4 KO) won outright.

Undercard remaining

In the featherlight heavyweight division, where Billy Deniz defeated Mickey Ellison (15-8, 5 KO) by one point.

Deniz (13-0, 5 KO) won with a score of 77-76.

In the six-round middleweight division, Sam Hickey (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Lewis Howells (3-2) three times en route to a first-round victory, and Mauro Silva (7-0, 3 KO) scored a 59-56 victory against Emmanuel Zion (6-3, 3 KOs).

Ellis Price (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Liam Fitzmaurice (0-1) twice en route to a first-round lightweight victory.

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Lauren Price claims Natasha Jonas didn’t want to fight her

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Price and Jonas clashed in Liverpool after their respective fights in December Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Lauren Price will face Natasha Jonas in a three-belt unification fight for welterweight belts on March 7 at the Royal Albert Hall Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Lauren Price will face Natasha Jonas in a three-belt unification fight for welterweight belts on March 7 at the Royal Albert Hall Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Lauren Price believes Natasha Jonas was pressured into fighting her ahead of their March 7 unification clash.

Price will put his WBA and IBO welterweight titles on the line when he faces IBF and WBC champion Jonas live at the Royal Albert Hall. Heavenly sports.

Jonas’ coach, Joe Gallagher, has said he would prefer to see the 40-year-old retire, and Price, who won Olympic gold in 2021, is doubtful whether her rival wants to face her.

“I don’t think either of them wanted this fight,” the 30-year-old said proboxing-fans.com.

“But like I said, she has two belts, I have three and it’s just a great fight.

“The fight is signed, sealed and announced, so on March 7 we will see who will be the best.

“If you look at my amateur record, Olympic gold medalist, I haven’t lost a single round as a professional.

“The performance I am up against [Jessica] McCaskill in Cardiff against the legitimate world champion, the proof is in the pudding.

“I’ve got it. I’m in my youth.

Price and Jonas clashed in Liverpool after fighting in December. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Price and Jonas clashed in Liverpool after fighting in December. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

“She’s coming to the end of my career and I don’t blame her, but in the end she has something that I want and that’s really it, there’s nothing personal.”

Jonas secured the WBC crown with a unanimous decision victory over then-champion Ivana Habazin in December in Liverpool, moments after Price defeated Bexcy Mateus in three rounds on the same bill.

The pair then clashed during a heated post-fight interview to confirm their upcoming match.

The Welshwoman believes that her youth, speed and dominance in the ring will allow her to defeat the experienced Liverpool resident on Friday in eight weeks.

Asked what her advantage was over Jonah, Price added: “Probably my youth.

“Reading the fight, my ring IQ, my speed.

“The little feints, the triggers I do, people reading me.

“Everyone says they will do it, they will do it until I stand in front of them, so we will see on March 7.

“But overall I think I’m just better and I believe I’ll win.”

Watch the full interview with Lauren Price:

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