“Magic” Matthew Hatton may have to live up to his name on March 5th as the Englishman steps up two or three gears in class to face undefeated WBN Young Boxer of the Year Saul Alvarez [35-0-1] at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Hatton, 29, is the younger brother of two-time world champion Ricky, who impressed American audiences in the late 2000s until being wiped out by pound-for-pound world champions Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao in bad knockout defeats.
The Manchester fighter (41-4-2) now attempts to grab the US market’s attention. But he faces a tough-looking test against one of the hottest prospects in the boxing world at the moment.
Hatton has stayed mainly out of world-class in his 46-fight career. He now dips his toes into the lion’s den.
Distinctive-looking Alvarez, whose nickname translates as “Cinnamon,” currently holds the WBC silver title at 147lbs. He has already clocked up 36 fights in his six-year career.
The Mexican hasn’t even celebrated his 21st birthday. Alvarez has only failed to stop nine opponents, which is ominous for the EBU titleholder.
In his last two performances, Alvarez, from a clan of boxing brothers, has defeated former world champions Carlos Baldomir and Lovemore N’dou and will see Hatton as just another obstacle to overcome on his way to his destiny as a future world champion.
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