Hatton plans to bring big-time boxing to region

BOXING legend turned promoter Ricky Hatton is planning to stage a fight night in Norwich.

It is understood that Hatton is keen on pitting Norwich light-heavyweight Danny McIntosh against Tony Oakey - with an undercard featuring local boxing talent.

Hatton is believed to have already started planning for an event in December.

Although the Ice Arena was considered as a venue, the Norfolk Showground is more likely. Figures and costs have been put together and both parties are said to be “seriously considering it”.

The Showground, which staged three of Jon Thaxton's major title fights in the last three years, is a tried and trusted venue.

Officials at the venue are believed to be keen on the idea while Hatton is hoping to tie up a deal for local expertise in the shape of Neil Featherby's Sportlink Promotions.

Sportlink promoted Thaxton and a host of other local boxers up until the closure of the Norwich Sport Village and would see this as the ideal opportunity to again be instrumental in staging and bringing big-time boxing back to Norwich.

Hatton - who controversially beat Thaxton on his way to becoming one of the most successful British boxers in recent years - has all but retired from the ring and turned his hand to promoting.

He set up Hatton Promotions in January, having been given the blueprint by the legendary Oscar De La Hoya, who founded the Golden Boy promotional company.

Hatton is currently promoting his younger brother Matthew's IBO world welterweight title fight against Lovemore Ndou, the South African champion, in Stoke on November 13.

McIntosh is likely to top the bill should the Norwich show go ahead, with other local fighters among those on the undercard.