Macklin guns for European crown

Rookie promoter Ricky Hatton believes he can guide Irish star Matthew Macklin to a world title - providing he wins the vacant European middleweight crown on Friday night.

Born and raised in Birmingham to Irish parents, Macklin has fought on Bernard Dunne undercards and headlined a Pro Box Live victory over Luis Campas last year.

He is now looking to make up for lost time after years of frustration and recently vacated the British title he won in March without even defending it.

The 'Hitman' told Press Association Sport: 'Matthew Macklin is a close personal friend of mine and regardless of that I think he's one of the most exciting fighters in Britain at the moment.

'He's already been in one of the best British title fights in recent years against another one of my friends, Jamie Moore, and he's never looked as good as he did when he won the British title in his last fight against Wayne Elcock.

'I think the manner in which he won that fight shows he's ready to move on to the European stage already.

'After that, I think we've got a possible world champion in the making, I really do.

'His career has been a little bit on the back-burner and that defeat against Jamie Moore didn't help, but as great a fight as it was, there were reasons for his defeat.

'He probably didn't let on how much he was struggling at the light-middleweight limit. But he's at middleweight now and he has never looked back to be honest.

'Against Elcock he looked absolutely fantastic.'

Finnish opponent Asikainen, 33, is a former European champion and both Macklin and Hatton expect a competitive clash.

'To be honest, I hadn't really got going in the Elcock fight, it was over before it started,' said Macklin.

'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 longer.

'But once I get into my rhythm I will show my skills and will be able to produce a performance that makes a statement.'

Hatton added: 'He's got a very tough fight but it's a fight I think he can come through and if Matt wins this he goes straight into the top five with the world governing bodies' rankings,' he said.
'It's a big, big fight for him.

'I think Matthew's a little bit frustrated. He's probably always dreamed of becoming a world champion and I think that dream can still come true.'

'But as far as his progress has gone he has struggled for fights, he's had problems, the Moore fight was a setback and I think he's a frustrated man.

'I think his last performance brought the confidence back to him and hopefully he'll be adding the European title to that British title and I think it will be a great night for him.'