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Hatton to return with fight against Abramenka

ESPN staff
July 28, 2011
Matthew Hatton was bullied in his last fight with Saul Alvarez © PA Photos
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Matthew Hatton will fight the undefeated Belarussian Andre Abramenka in Blackpool next month as he looks to earn himself a shot at the WBA welterweight belt.

Hatton vacated his European welterweight crown earlier in the year in order to face Mexican Saul Alvarez in a light-middleweight title contest, a lucrative fight that nevertheless saw him beaten comprehensively on points.

The 30-year-old is now hoping to get another shot at a world title, this time at his conventional weight, and believes 24-year-old Abramenka (who has 15 wins and two draws to his name) is a good place to start on the path to that aim.

"Abramenka is a good calibre opponent and facing him proves I am going straight back in against a meaningful opponent," Hatton said. "I am mandatory contender for my old European title and I would love a crack at WBA title holder Vyacheslav Senchenko or interim champion Ismael El Massoudi.

"It is one of those three fights I am looking at by the end of the year."

Hatton was praised for his resilient display in defeat against Alvarez - who is hotly tipped to be a superstar of world boxing - but admits he does not want that to be how he is remembered as a fighter.

"It was nice to get credit, but it is about winning and I am itching to get back to winning ways and proving I have plenty left to offer," he noted.

Hatton's fight with Abramenka takes place on August 19 at Blackpool's Tower Circus.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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