Matthew Hatton - Last Shot at a World Title?

The name ‘Hatton’ is synonymous with the sport of professional boxing, however on this occasion it is preceded not by Ricky. Instead it is three years his junior, Matthew.

Stepping out of the shadow of his older brother, 31 year old Matthew ‘Magic’ Hatton is preparing for his third and arguably final shot at a world title.

He will face current reigning and defending IBO Welterweight champion Chris Van Heerden. The 25 year old southpaw, hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, has never been knocked out in his professional career that boasts a healthy win return of 18 from 20 bouts, on ten occasions leaving his opponent incapacitated on the mat.

His only loss came at the hands of Nikola Stevanovic in 2011, a point’s decision for the IBF Intercontinental Light Middleweight title.

In recent years Matthew has failed to win the big one, first against Lovemore N’Dou for the IBO Welterweight title in a contentious draw in 2009 that still haunts the younger Hatton to this day, ‘I won’t forget that fight against Lovemore N’dou. It’s angered me throughout my career’, and a brave points defeat to Saul Alvarez in Anaheim, California for the vacant WBC Light middleweight title in 2011.

The former European champion enjoyed a credible Amateur career, winning 18 of 22 contests, before turning professional in 2000.

A decision Hatton admits he perhaps embraced too soon, ‘I should of stayed amateur longer, but saw how well Ricky was doing, so I turned pro at 19’.

His older brother has been a huge influence on the younger Hatton, from a very early age, ‘I always looked up to my elder brother’, and when quizzed on his earliest memory and his route into boxing, Hatton recounts fondly, ‘we were encouraged by mum and dad, started kickboxing at 6, Ricky was 9, we were always sparring’.

‘Pots would be shaking from me and Ricky knocking ten bells out of each other’, 25 years on, the passion remains the same for Matthew,  who feels he still has plenty left in the tank, ‘I feel physically and mentally at my peak, the day you stop improving is the day you should go out the back door.’

Citing the likes of Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank who were ‘guys in the spotlight growing up’, his desire hasn’t diminished over the years and the 51 fights the Stockport native has contested, 43 of which resulted in ‘Magic’ Hatton’s arm being raised in victory.

He will need every ounce of desire and belief to overcome the younger South African on March 2^nd, as he attempts to reach the top of the mountain at the third time of asking.

The great Frank Bruno took four attempts to become WBC Heavyweight champion of the world, persistence, drive and determination are key attributes to any great fighter and with the reward of a potential revenge match against Vyacheslav Senchenko, his older brother’s vanquisher last November, should he win the IBO Welterweright belt. Matthew ‘Magic’ Hatton will give everything to finally win the big one.