FightFranchise.com | Macklin-Asikainen: A 50-50 Fight

Yesterday at Ricky Hatton’s gym was the final press conference for the Euro Glory card, headlined by the European Middleweight title fight between Matthew Mackiln and Finlands Amin Asikainen. Both fighters were in attendance alongside many Hatton promotions fighters off the undercard, such as Scott Quigg, Sam Horton, Martin Murray, Mark Thompson, Anthony Crolla and Joe Murray.

The main fight between Matthew Macklin 24-2 (17) and Amin Asikainen 26-2 (17 is an interesting but tough fight to call. Macklin after periods of being unsettled has settled with trainer Joe Gallagher and is coming off the back of an impressive performance in beating Wayne Elcock. He has also signed recently with close friend Ricky Hatton’s new promotional outfit. Asakainen on the other hand is an ex European champion from back in 2006. He also defended the belt in German against Sebastian Sylvester who won the IBF middleweight title last week. A year after than win Sylvester took the belt from Asikainen by stopping him by TKO in the 11th Round. He has since tried to regain the belt but again lost to KhorenGevor.

The advantage experience wise lies with Asikainen. Both fighters are technically good and can certainly punch, and have both been in the trenches before, Asikainen with Sylvester and Gevor and Macklin when he fought Jamie Moore. Macklins advantage is that he could be the hungrier fighter, having never won a European title and also being the younger man. Both fighters have stated it is a tough fight to call, and could go either way but are both confident they can come out on top. Whatever happens Friday night, anyone in attendance or watching on TV is certainly in for a good fight.

Not only are fans in for a good fight, but also a good nights boxing with a top undercard packed full of prospects.

Chief support is Cello Randa taking on the unbeaten Sam Horton in a British title middleweight eliminator. Randa is the more experienced fighter having been a British master’s champion, and also fighting for the English title against Paul Smith and also losing to Martin Murray in the Prizefighter series.

Martin Murray is having is first fight for Hatton Promotions, having won the Prizefighter series. He is looking to kick is career into overdrive and get a British title fight. He takes on Georgian George Aduashvili over 6 rounds.

Denton Vassell takes on the tough and experienced VasileSurcica over 6 rounds, the durable Romanian has only been stopped 4 times in his career and has been in the ring with the likes of former world champion SouleymaneM’Baye.

Rochdale’s Mark Thompson takes on tough Georgian GariAbajian who has never been stopped, even going 12 rounds in his career. Abajian seems to lose every time he steps up in class and Thompson should do the business on the night and extend his record.

Graeme “Dezzie” Higginson has his 2nd fight under the Hatton banner after fighting on the Brodie comeback. Higginson was impressive last time round and brought a huge following from Blackburn. This time out he faces Adam Kelly in the toughest fight of his career.

Also on the undercard in 4 round contests are two fighters from the Brian Hughes stable, Scott Quigg who has recently returned from a training spell with Freddie Roach in the US, and unbeaten Rhys Roberts.

Joe Gallagher, as well as having the his fighter Macklin in the main fight see’s two more of his upcoming fighters continue their careers. Anthony “Million Dollar” Crolla is new to Hatton Promotions and to Gallagher having recently left Frank Warren and Anthony Farnell. Finally the prize of the bunch of Hattons young guns, is World Amateur Bronze medallist and Olympian Joe Murray who looks to take his record to 5-0 with another impressive performance.

Hatton Promotions have achieved a lot by getting a Sky TV deal, a European title fight so soon in the career. They should also be praised for putting on a good undercard of top local prospects in what should be a great night of boxing in Manchester.

Quotes from the Press Conference:

Ricky Hatton (former World champion and Promoter)

“It’s a fantastic fight for us. There are not too many people who could put on a European Title fight on their first show of a Sky TV deal, so it’s a credit to the team. Looking at the main event there are two huge exciting fighters, my good friend Matthew Macklin and Amin Asikainen. I think it’s going to be an absolutely fantastic fight, both fighters are quite evenly matched. For my 1st promotion to be a European Title fight and the winner putting themselves high up in the world rankings with possibly a world title shot, makes it a big fight for both guys”

Matthew Macklin (European Title Challenger)

“I have always trained hard, but some camps go better than others, due to the quality of the sparring. The Elcock camp went well and it showed in my performance. To be honest though, I hadn’t really got going in that fight, it was over before it started. This will be a much tougher fight than the Elcock one. Asikainen has a good defence, is well schooled with good movement and good footwork so it’s going to take a longer time. Once I get into my rhythm I will show my skills and will be able to produce a performance that makes a statement”

Amin Asikainen (European Title Challenger)

Macklin is a good strong boxer and is a very good European level boxer and it’s going to be a tough fight. I want that belt back in Finland, I have a good chance and Macklin as a good chance. It will be a good fight.

Joe Gallagher (Trainer of Matthew Macklin)

“I still see this as a 50/50 fight. I know Boxing News are undecided a little at how to go. Macklin has trained fantastic the last two weeks with some great sparring and has had a great training camp. It’s the right time for Matthew to step up to the plate on Friday, to grab the bull by the horns and win the European title. It’s a winnable fight, not an easy fight, both fighters will have their moments. I believe that desire is the key word for this fight, and Macklin’s desire, his will to win will persevere and pull him through to lift the blue belt above his head at the end of the night. It will be 2 successful title wins back to back and puts him in the top 5 of the world rankings.”

Joe Murray (fightingDelroy Spence)

“I am really confident, my training has gone well. I only boxed 4 weeks ago so it’s from that and straight into this, I can’t wait. I’ve seen Spence fight, he fights week in, week out so he’s a fit lad and I can’t wait to get in the ring. This fight is at Super Bantamweight, we are going to show we can make that weight. People have been saying I’m too big to make it, but come Thursday people will see I can make it.”

Graeme “Dezzie” Higginson (fighting Adam Kelly)

“I feel Hatton promotions are the up and coming promoter in the UK, possibly the world, and to be on a Matthew Macklin undercard on a Euro title fight is fantastic. I am fighting Adam Kelly and this will be the toughest fight of my career. We have similar records and he’s from a well renowned Ingle camp. They produce World champions, British Champions so Kelly must have some ability. It will be a good 50/50 fight but I’ll be victorious”

Anthony Crolla (fighting Daniel Thorpe)

It’s good to be back in the ring. I am fighting Daniel Thorpe who has fought twice in the last couple of weeks, the last one taking Vinny Mitchell the full 6 Rounds. I know Daniel and he’s a nice lad, he’ll make things tough and is a durable fighter. He usually comes in heavier than me so I am weighing in on the day but expect Thorpe to be a stone heavier than me.