By Sean McDaniel: Welterweight Matthew Hatton (42-6-2, 16 KO’s) will be taking an eight round tune-up bout against 33-year-old Michael Lomax (18-4-1, 3 KO’s) on October 12th at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, in Manchester, UK.

Hatton, 31, is using this fight to get ready for a title challenge against little known International Boxing Organization welterweight champion Chris Van Heerden (18-1-1, 10 KO’s) in February 2013 in Cape town, Western Cape, South Africa.

It’s unfortunate that Hatton has to settle for fighting Van Heerden for the IBO strap instead of one of the big titles like the WBA welterweight belt, because Hatton lost his chance at fighting for that tile when he agreed to take on unbeaten welterweight contender Kell Brook last March. Although Hatton got a good payday in that fight, he was soundly beaten by Brook, and a long with that defeat, Hatton lost his ranking in the top 15 in the WBA rankings, and how will have to settle fighting for the IBO strap instead.

Lomax shouldn’t give Hatton too many problems, as he’s lost three out of his last six fights, losing to Kell Brook, Bradley Pryce and Frankie Gavin. Hatton should be able to get past Lomax no problem, but he may have to go the full distance, however, because Hatton doesn’t have much in the way of power.

Lomax could pull off an upset, you never know. He’s beaten guys like Ted Bami and Craig Dickson in the past, but he’s never beaten anyone that you could call good. Lomax was beaten by former Hatton conqueror Craig Watson in 2007.

Van Heerden will be a huge test for Hatton, because he’s got power and youth, two ingredients that Hatton is short of. Hatton will have to find some power if he wants to get past Van Heerden to capture his International Boxing Organization title. But it’s going to be tough because Hatton doesn’t have the power to beat Heerden at his own game.