THE super welterweight crown stripped from Filipino boxing legend Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao could find its way into the gloved hands of Britain’s Matthew Hatton next month.
World Boxing Council officials said Wednesday that the winner of the March 5 fight between Hatton and Mexico’s undefeated Saul Alvarez will receive the super welterweight title that PacMan decided not to defend.
Pacquiao has instead booked a May welterweight title fight with US veteran Shane Mosley, prompting the WBC to vacate its super welterweight throne and quickly move to reward the winner of the 12-round Hatton-Alvarez showdown.
For Hatton, it means his long-awaited chance to fight for a world title has finally arrived.
“I have been waiting my entire career to fight for a world title and I can’t put into words how excited I am,” Hatton said.
“I was already really motivated for this fight and this just adds to it. I am ready to bring the belt back with me to Manchester.”
Alvarez, 35-0 with one draw and 26 knockouts, is hoping the hardware is bound for Mexico.
“This is a great opportunity and an honor,” Alvarez said. “I said that I wanted to fight for a world title in 2011 and now the opportunity has arrived.”
Alvarez suffered the only stain on his record with a draw against countryman Jorge Juarez in a four-round bout in 2006 but he has won 31 fights since, the most recent a unanimous decision over Australia’s Lovemore N’dou in December.
Hatton, 41-4 with two drawn and 16 knockouts, has not lost in nine fights since September of 2008, his lone blemish in the run a draw against N’dou in 2009.
In his most recent fight, Hatton knocked out Roberto Belge of Switzerland in the third round at Bolton in November to retain his European super welterweight title.
AFP
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