Hatton backs Macklin to go all the way
Thursday, 3 December 2009 15:14Watch Mathew Macklin v Rafa Sosa Pintos live online and worldwide at www.rte.ie/live on Saturday from 9.30pm.
Ricky Hatton believes that Mathew Macklin's European Middleweight title defence against Uruguayan Rafa Sosa Pintos in the National Stadium on Saturday could be a major step on the way to a world title shot.
Macklin's first round demolition of Finland's Amin Asikainen in September to win the European title was the first of a three fight deal with Hatton as his promoter and 'The Hitman' believes his charge is destined for great things.
'Matthew's performance against Asikainen proves that he's up there with the best in the world - he was superb and thoroughly professional,' said Hatton, who will be ringside in the National Stadium.
'Asikainen, remember, was rated as high as sixth in the world and this wasn't a lucky one-punch win. It was the result of years of hard work and dedication.
'When he came to join me as his promoter I promised that I would do all I could to get him to the top. I have sparred with him often enough to know that he has the ability to go all the way.
'Now I have to keep my word and I will. We need to work very carefully on Matthew's fight's next year and a challenge against newly crowned IBF champion Sebastian Sylvester - over whom Asikainen holds a win - is one possibility,' he said.
Macklin himself is not short on confidence. 'People have been saying that Dmitry Pirog's a dangerous fighter. I've watched him and there's no doubt he's very good but I'm not a bit bothered about fighting him or anyone else, for that matter.
'I'd take on any of the champions right now including Kelly Pavlik,' he insisted.
'I don't think there are too many big fights out there for Pavlik at the moment so if that fight came my way I'd jump at it. I believe I've the skills, the power and the chin to beat him.'
