THE professional boxing debut of Campbell Hatton, son of Hyde’s two-weight world champion Ricky, has been delayed by three weeks because of Covid-19.
The 20-year-old super-featherweight, who turned pro in December, had been due to fight on March 6 at Wembley Arena on the undercard for the WBC interim heavyweight title fight between Alexander Povetkin and Dillian White.
Because of travel restrictions, Matchroom Sport managing director Eddie Hearn is unable to stage his show in London and has switched it to Gibraltar on March 27. It will be screened live on Sky Sports Box Office.
He said: “In the current environment we are always having to think on our feet. We did everything to try and make March 6 happen, but with the new travel restrictions it was impossible.
“Now we have something outside the box and a unique setting for one of the heavyweight fights of the year, the Rumble on the Rock!”
Campbell, who is managed by his father and trained by his uncle Matthew Hatton, a successful former pro boxer, admitted he could not wish for better guidance.
“I am learning all the time from both of them. Between them, what they don’t know about boxing, isn’t worth knowing,” he told the BBC’s North West Tonight.
Campbell, who had a successful amateur career, sees no reason why he cannot scale the same heights in the pro ranks.
“I don’t see any reason I cannot go all the way,” he said.
Ricky also sees striking similarities between him and his son.
“He is not trying to be like his dad, he is sort of me. He looks like me, fights like me and he has the same sense of humour,” he explained.
Ricky admitted he was not keen for Campbell to follow him into boxing.
He said: “I don’t think any parent wants that to happen. If is going to happen, he is going to do his best.
“At the end of the day, he is going into the hardest sport of all.”
Ricky believes Campbell has the ability to go far, adding: “He is a proud Mancunian and I think he will bring some wonderful nights back to Manchester.
“They will not be singing one Ricky Hatton, but there’s one Campbell Hatton which would make me cry. They are exciting times.”
Campbell has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
After signing, he said: “It’s a dream come true to sign with Eddie and Matchroom. There’s no bigger platform in the world that I could be signed to, so I’m in a great position.
“I had always done bits in the gym with my dad and Matthew growing up, but I first started boxing properly when I was about 14. My grandad took me down to Northside ABC in Clayton and I loved it ever since. I had a handful of fights for them then moved to Roy Richardson’s Boxing Academy.
“In the amateurs I won a national novice title and two North West titles. After winning the novices it was hard to get matched with fighters with a similar amount of fights so I ended up boxing a lot of national champions and international fighters which brought me on massively.
“I think now is the right time for me to turn over to the pro ranks because from a young age I’ve always been told I have had a very professional style and that never did me any favours as an amateur. Now I’ve got the experience behind me, I’m in a position where I’m not just capable to do it, I can do it and impress people.
“I’m very lucky to be in the position I’m in with my dad being a former world champion and my uncle Matthew also being a world title challenger as well. Their experience in the game is second to none. There aren’t many people who can say they have that sort of advice.
“Me and my dad get on really well. I think it’s because we are so similar, we have the same sense of humour, same interests and the same passion for boxing. It’s such a big part of both of our lives which makes us very lucky to be able to share that.”
Hearn said: “I had a meeting with Campbell and Ricky and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“We have a chance to do something very special in Manchester here and we will do everything we can to guide Campbell the right way. The pressure is on him, but he has a great head in his shoulders and a city behind him that will support him every step of the way. Let’s have some fun!”
You can follow Hatton’s journey on Twitter: @CampbellHatton and Instagram: campbellhatton