Macklin gets european title shot

[gemmell]

Ricky Hatton backing Macklin to conquer Europe and the World
Ricky Hatton is backing British Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin to conquer Europe and the World over the next 12 months. The Birmingham man is the latest addition to Hatton’s new promotional outfit and “The Hitman” has moved quickly to secure a European title shot for his newest signing. Macklin will contest the vacant European Middleweight title with World ranked Finn, Amin Asikainen at the Manchester Velodrome on September 25th as he looks to move within touching distance of a World title fight. Having won 5 World titles himself Hatton knows exactly what it takes to get to the very top and he believes that Macklin has all the right ingredients..

Hatton, who has yet to make a decision on his own ring career said, “I’ve had my fair share of success with World titles in the ring but now I want to start producing World Champions as a promoter and I firmly believe that Matthew Macklin will be one of them.

“I’ve known Matthew for a long time, we’ve trained together, sparred together and worked each others corners over the years and I’ve always believed that he has the ability to go all the way. He won the British title in very impressive fashion last time out and I think he has the ability to step straight up to European title level and I’m delighted to be able to give him that opportunity on one of my shows.”

However Hatton believes that Asikainen represents a huge challenge for Macklin. “Matthew’s facing a very tough challenge because Asikainen is a vastly experienced operator and he’s been European Champion before but I believe that it’s a fight Matthew can win and use as a spring board to a World title fight next year.”

Macklin says he’d delighted to be linking up with long time friend Hatton and he’s already looking ahead to September 25th. “It’s fitting that I’m working with Ricky as my promoter now because we’ve been good friends for so long. We’ve probably sparred over a hundred rounds together and we’ve always supported each other throughout our careers.

“Ricky promised that he would deliver me the big fights and in my very first fight with him I’ll be fighting for the European title so it’s a huge opportunity for me. I’ve seen quite a bit of Asikainen and I’ve got a lot of respect for him because he’s been campaigning at European title level for the last three years. He’s a big puncher and brings all that experience to the table but he has frailties as well and I believe I’ll be able to set a pace that he can’t cope with.”

Macklin believes he can use the European title as a launch pad to a World title shot next year. “I really feel that things are starting to come together for me now since winning the British title. To be honest I had planned on winning the British title a lot earlier in my career. I’m 27 now so the next few years are going to the most important so when the chance at the European title came along I knew I had to grab it.

“The European middleweight scene is red hot right now and particularly in Germany where they seem to be dominating the division even on the World stage. Obviously Arthur Abraham has just moved up to super middleweight and you have Sebastian Zbik who just won the interim WBC title while Felix Sturm has held the WBA title for the last 3 years.

“Another German, Sebastian Sylvester is fighting for the vacant IBF title in September and Asikainen is rated number 4 with the IBF so a win over him would leave me knocking on the door of a World title shot.”

Asikainen however has World title ambitions of his own and is also targeting a rubber match with old foe Sylvester, the two rivals currently have one win apiece in European title fights.

“Winning the European title for the second time would be great,” said Asikainen. “The European title is the most meaningful belt in boxing after the World title. Of course I dream of winning the World title too some day but right now I am totally focused on Matthew Macklin.”

The flying Finn says that fighting on away ground holds no fears for him. “Coming to Manchester to fight is not a problem for me. As an amateur I fought several times outside Finland and as a pro I have won 3 of my 4 fights abroad including a knockout win over Sebastian Sylvester in Germany. Actually I think that fighting away from home kind of suits me better as it takes some of the pressure off.

“I have power in both hands. I knocked out Sylvester with my left hand and I stopped Yori Boy Campas with my right hand so I am armed and dangerous. I am known as a knockout artist, but I never come looking for the knockout. If it happens, it happens but I will prepare for twelve hard rounds and I believe I can win either on points or by KO.”

Asikainen’s promoter Pekka Maki is equally bullish about his fighter’s chances. “Macklin is not a bad fighter, he has heart and skills but I see some big weaknesses as well. He makes a lot of mistakes in the ring and if you make mistakes against Amin Asikainen you will get knocked out.

“I believe that Macklin has been kept away from powerful punchers and there is a reason for that. Amin Asikainen is a big puncher and I can see a lot of scenarios for Asikainen to beat Macklin. Amin can outbox him, he can overpower him or he can knock Macklin out with a single counterpunch. Overall I just think that Macklin makes too many mistakes to go the distance with Asikainen.”

Despite the confidence within Team Asikainen Macklin believes that he can join British boxing legends like Randy Turpin, Alan Minter, Herol Graham and Richie Woodhall in lifting the European Middleweight title.

“Asikainen is someone I’ve had my eye on for quite some time now and I’ve always believed I have the right attributes to beat him,” said Macklin. “It won’t be easy because he is a quality fighter but I’m determined to prove that I belong up there with the best in the World and I can make a real statement in this fight.”

Macklin’s one regret with moving on to European level is that he won’t get to halt the unbeaten run of Commonwealth Champion Darren Barker. “I had been looking forward to the Barker fight because I firmly believe that I would have got him out of there early but the opportunity to get my hands on the European title was just too good to pass up. If Barker’s honest with himself he would have done exactly the same thing in my position.

“This is an opportunity for me to step up another level and I believe it’s a far tougher fight than Barker anyway. Asikainen is a proven operator at European level and he’s a World ranked fighter. There’s been a lot of hype around Darren but in reality he’s yet to prove himself at British level. I’ve beaten the likes of Yory Boy Campas, Wayne Elcock and highly rated European’s like Geard Ajetovic and Alexey Chirkov. Who has Barker beaten?”

[Captain Hook]

I still think Barker would beat Macklin but I guess this is too good an opportunity for him to miss out on. Good luck to him.

[leforge]

Barker first defence of Europena then!

[Poncey]

I guess this is too good an opportunity for him to miss out on. Good luck to him.

x2

[Spud]

I still think Barker would beat Macklin but I guess this is too good an opportunity for him to miss out on. Good luck to him.

No chance - and agreed on too good an opportunity to miss out on!!!

[Autobarn]

I still think Barker would beat Macklin but I guess this is too good an opportunity for him to miss out on. Good luck to him.

exactly

cue: "waaaaaaaah. waaaaaaaah. wicky pulled out macklin from barker fight only because he needed to promote. waaaaaah. waaaaaah - barker, barker, barker. waaaaaaah. waaaaaah. macklin didn't fancy it. waaaaaaaah. waaaaah. bad for boxing."

[whiskey]

Screw the title Matt !

Barker vs Macklin was bigger draw for all the fans than a euro shot Matt could well get demolished in.

Say Matt loses.. will Darren still entertain him? it wouldn't have the same kudos.

Let's hope Macklin wins and him and Barker get it on.

[Autobarn]

"waaaaaaaaah."

i would have liked it, but i think if macklin is going to move up from domestic level, it has to be now. i love the high risk fights, but can understand the need to move him up. he took a long time to become a british champ, and if he would lose to barker, then it'd be hard to move him up.

i wish everyone had the barker/hennessy attitude of gunning for domestic peers, but can see the sense in getting a move on with mr mack.

perhaps it's because i never thought this fight was happening, that i'm not disappointed. barker or his promoter would talk of no one but macklin. whereas macklin had about 5 different opponents lined up in the past few months.

"waaaaaaaah."

[Wales]

Screw the title Matt !

Barker vs Macklin was bigger draw for all the fans than a euro shot Matt could well get demolished in.

Say Matt loses.. will Darren still entertain him? it wouldn't have the same kudos.

Let's hope Macklin wins and him and Barker get it on.

So what if Barker beats macklin? Where does that leave matt then, do you think the european champion would still entertain him?
As for Kudos, do you think being euro champ or beating Barker will get him a better rating on the world scene?
Barker V Macklin is a draw for boxing purists. British fighter fights for european title is an easier sale.

[Coco]

Looks like good management to me

[My Name Is Earl]

^ indeed. This is world class management.

[mickey1975]

buisness move,as a lot of hattons have been over the past four years

[Wales]

And as they should. Make maximum cash in minimum time with minimum long term injury - thats the way the games gone with silly money floating about. For such a poorly supported sport it pays its top athletes bloody well.

[Autobarn]

I bet gym-mate and fellow Gallagher-cultist John Murray wishes he had a definite European title fight coming up. As Macklin does.

There's no one ahead of Murray in the EBU rankings (Mezaache just beat the EBU #1 Kudryavtsev), he's stopped 2 or 3 fighters who at the time were in the EBU top 10 (Meager, McAllister, Lawton), and I think his promoter has an option on the EBU champ (from Mezaache-Thaxton).

I don't think Macklin v Asikainen is a fight that should be taken for granted. Surely it's good of Hatton to move him forward like this?

[whicker]

Looks like good management to me

Yes, "good management" but given that Barker V Maclin was one of perhaps 4 or 5 interesting looking fights in the next few months, it's a shame for the fans.

[alexpaterson]

I think Barker would of took the European title over fighting Macklin as well but I hope if Macklin wins then he defendes against Barker and doesnt aviod him as it has all the makings of a great fight

[twenty six]

Simple.
Barker v Macklin would have been on if Hatton had won the purse bids.
This is as much a business decision for Hatton Promotions as it is a career move for Macklin.

[whicker]

Is it that easy to pull out of a fight (and take another one) even after a fight has gone to purse bids?

Once a fight has gone to bids, is there not a contractual arrangement or similar that a fighter must honour?

[twenty six]

Yes
Macklin must vacate the British title to get his European fight - simple as that.
Barker still gets his tilt - against TBA.

[whicker]

Yes
Macklin must vacate the British title to get his European fight - simple as that.
Barker still gets his tilt - against TBA.

Unfortunate, but I guess "That's business."

Shame that the British title carries so little weight nowadays.

[whiteboy]

So they need Macklin to headline there shows in Manchester then. This fight should in Birmingham/Solihull. If Macklin ever gets a world title shot he won't have built up his following enough to use NIA/NEC/St Andrews ever

[twenty six]

I think the location is secondary Whiteboy.
Never in a month of Sundays did Hatton Promotions think that a 6 figure purse bid would be unsuccesful for the Barker fight.
The successful bid was the highest I've seen for ages for a British Title fight.
They need headline fighters to fulfil their obligations to Sky.
Having lost the bid - plan B.
To be fair, they've done really well.

[Dioufy]

The way I see it, I would like for British fighters to prove that they are the best in England, then move up. Look at Brook's attitude - he could've taken a Euro shot, and deserved to, as he had the British belt outright, but wanted Jennings to prove that he is without doubt, the best England has to offer.

I remember seeing a Macklin interview saying that he wanted Elcock and Barker on his resume more than anything.

:surprised:

[Wales]

The way I see it, I would like for British fighters to prove that they are the best in England, then move up. Look at Brook's attitude - he could've taken a Euro shot, and deserved to, as he had the British belt outright, but wanted Jennings to prove that he is without doubt, the best England has to offer.

I remember seeing a Macklin interview saying that he wanted Elcock and Barker on his resume more than anything.

:surprised:

but this has nothing to do with winning a belt outright, or what macklin has previosuly said. It's simple. Hatton promotions need Macklin more than Macklin needs Barker.

As a european champion macklin can easily fulfil Sky's requirements of headlining Hatton Promotion shows. Coming off a defeat to Barker, well, he cant.

[Counter-puncher]

"waaaaaaaaah."

perhaps it's because i never thought this fight was happening, that i'm not disappointed. barker or his promoter would talk of no one but macklin. whereas macklin had about 5 different opponents lined up in the past few months.

"waaaaaaaah."

perhaps its just cos you don't have a hardon for criticising Macklin.

heaven forbid Calzaghe made an equivalent move though eh?

your 'waah waaah waaah'ing would drown out the gods themselves