Matthew Macklin is adamant that class will prevail in “The Battle of Brum” at the Aston Arena on Saturday night. Macklin challenges city rival Wayne Elcock for his British Middleweight title in the headline bout on a Hennessy Sports show, which is live on ITV4 from 7:45pm.
While both men are avid Birmingham City fans Macklin believes he’ll prove to be a league above the defending champion. “I think sometimes when you look at local derbies in football they’re always nip and tick affairs early on but the class usually prevails and I believe that will be the case tomorrow night. Wayne’s a good fighter but I believe I’m simply a better one.”
Macklin’s manager, Brian Peters has no doubt that his man has what it takes to lift a Lonsdale belt at the second time of asking having failed in a thrilling bid for Jamie Moore’s British Light Middleweight title back in 2006.
“Matthew learned a very painful lesson that night but I believe that fight will ultimately prove to be a key turning point in his career. Elcock is a decent fighter and just two fights ago he took on Arthur Abraham who’s arguably the best middleweight in the world right now. I believe Matthew’s capable of mixing in that class as well and I think he’ll prove that with a decisive win over Elcock.
“It’s a massive fight for Birmingham and I believe that will bring out the best in Matthew. Elcock’s only had two fights in the last 15 months and I believe that will prove crucial against a strong, hungry fighter like Matthew. He’s been craving this opportunity for a long, long time and I honestly don’t think Elcock will be able to cope with him. He’s been a good champion but it’s Matthew’s time now and I believe we’ll see a changing of the guard tomorrow night.”
An exciting undercard at the Aston Arena, Birmingham on March 14th features heavyweight sensation, Tyson Fury while in the chief support bout Adnan Amar defends his Englsih Welterweight title against Tom Glover. Also in action is Eddie O’Rourke, Chris Male, Quinton Hillocks and Callum Archer. Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk
SAVE THE DATE! THE ONLY U.S. PRESS EVENT BEFORE PACQUIAO and HATTON MEET IN LAS VEGAS
FOR MAY 2 MEGA FIGHT WILL BE MONDAY, MARCH 30 IN LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (March 13, 2009) – MANNY PACQUIAO, boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and 2008 Fighter of the Year, and IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight Champion RICKY HATTON will host ONE U.S. press event for their 12-round world championship fight before fight week. Pacquiao, Hatton and their respective trainers Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr., will get their last looks at each other until the final week of April during a press event scheduled for Monday, March 30, in Los Angeles. Details on the news conference event will be coming shortly.
Pacquiao vs. Hatton “The Battle of East and West,” presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, in association with MP Promotions and Hatton Promotions, takes place Saturday, May 2 at MGM Grand. The 12-round rumble will be for Hatton’s IBO and Ring Magazine World Junior Welterweight titles. The fight is also sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. Remaining tickets, priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, can be purchased through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available online at www.mgmgrand.com.
The Pacquiao vs. Hatton pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Hatton fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
HBO Sports’ acclaimed reality franchise “24/7” will return with the premiere of the four-part series PACQUIAO/HATTON 24/7 on Saturday, April 11 at 9.30 p.m. ET/PT.
Please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.toprank.com or www.rickyhitmanhatton.com for upcoming announcements.
Weights From Kiel, Germany:
IBF Middleweight Title:
Lajuan Simon: 71,3 kg
King Arthur Abraham: 72,4 kg
WBA/WBC Female Welterweight Titles:
Vinni Skovgaard: 66,6 kg
First Lady Cecilia Braekhus: 64,9 kg
IBF Youth Middleweight Title:
Daniel Urbanski: 72,5 kg
Dominik Britsch: 72,5 kg
Heavyweight:
Michael Sprott: 106,3 kg
Lamon Brewster: 106,3 kg