Campbell Hatton set to fight for the exact same title his father Ricky won 25 years ago

Chip of the old block Campbell Hatton is following in his father Ricky's footsteps

Campbell Hatton (14-0, 5KO) is preparing for his next fight on March 23 in Sheffield. The unbeaten star will challenge Central Area super-lightweight champion, James Flint (131-2, 3KO), in a bid to win the exact same belt his father Ricky won 25 years ago.

In February 1999, a 10-0, 20-year-old Ricky "Hitman" Hatton stopped Tommy Peacock, also unbeaten in 10 bouts, in round two of 10 for the vacant Central Area super-lightweight strap. It became his first belt of many, eventually retiring in 2012 as a two-weight world champion and British boxing legend.

The 50-year-old title has been won by many notable names during the past half-a-century, such as Pat Barrett, Ricky Hatton, Tyrone Nurse, and Jack Catterall. 23-year-old Campbell is aiming to become the 28th champion in the belt's storied history.

It will be "The Hurricane" vs "The Young Lion" at the Utilita Arena Sheffield on the 82nd day of the year. Titleholder Flint won the belt against 6-0 Joe Garside in March 2023, cutting his foe above the right eye in the eighth, causing the stoppage in the 10th and final round. In his first and only defence, he retained the title but didn't win the fight against 5-1 Adam Sircar, who knocked the champ down in the second only to be drawn 95-95 on referee Darren Sarginson's scorecard.

The 26-year-old from Doncaster is managed by Stefy Bull and has lost just once in 17 bouts, which came in 2021 to another "Hurricane", Dom Hunt, who is now 13-0. Flint challenged "Hurricane" Hunt for his first title - the Central Area welterweight belt - but was outpointed widely at 93-98.

Hyde's "Hurricane" Hatton will be fighting in his 15th bout in three years as a pro. The active prospect's pro debut was on March 27, 2021, so his maiden title challenge will come just five days prior to his three-year anniversary in the paid ranks. Flint will be his ninth winning opponent he has faced, as he looks to progress at a sensible rate whilst still young and learning.

Traind by his uncle, Matthew Hatton, the 140-pounder operates in a talent-laden division that includes the likes of Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall, who are reportedly fighting each other in a rematch next; as well as world title contender, Ohara Davies; wonderkid, Adam Azim; British champ, Dalton Smith; as well as contenders Robbie Davies Jr and Lewis Ritson.

On the world stage, there's world champions Devin Haney (WBC), Rolly Romero (WBA), Subriel Matias (IBF), Teofimo Lopez (WBO), Zhankosh Turarov ( IBO ). Although those five rulers will completely change by the time Campbell can climb to those heights. It took his dad just over six years to go from Central Area champion to world champion, when he beat Kostya Tszyu in a memorable night at the MEN Arena in his home city of Manchester in June 2005. "The Hitman" forced the legendary Russian-Australian boxer to retire before the last round to win the IBF and The Ring titles.

Dalton Smith vs Jose Zepeda

Matchroom return to Steel City for a huge night of boxing on Saturday March 23 as the Steel City’s fast-rising Super-Lightweight contender Dalton Smith (15-0, 11 KOs) steps up against the USA’s three-time World Title challenger Jose Zepeda ( 37-4, 28 KOs), and Derby’s WBO Welterweight World Champion Sandy Ryan (6-1-1, 2 KOs) puts her gold on the line against Denaby Main’s two-division World Champion Terri Harper (14-1-2, 6 KOs) in a huge domestic clash.