Thursday 2 July 2015 12:47, UK
Former world champion Ricky Hatton has backed fellow Mancunian Terry Flanagan to beat Jose Zepeda to the vacant WBO lightweight title on July 11.
The 26-year-old Flanagan (27-0-0-KO10) will have hometown advantage at the MEN Arena when he faces the hard-hitting Zepeda (23-0-0-KO20).
The American has disposed of his last four opponents in less than three rounds but Hatton remains confident and has compared Flanagan's task to Joe Calzaghe's when he defied the odds to beat Jeff Lacy via unanimous decision in the same city back in 2006.
Hatton said: "You can compare this fight to Joe Calzaghe against Jeff Lacy when they fought in Manchester.
"Joe was facing a wrecking-machine in Lacy who at the time was the next big thing in boxing and was knocking everybody out.
Joe was facing a wrecking-machine in Lacy who at the time was the next big thing in boxing and was knocking everybody out.
"But look what a master boxer like Joe did to him, he took him to pieces.
"When I look at Zepeda's record, I can see the list of big knockouts. There's no doubt he can punch, but I don't see a defining name on there, and to me, Terry is a class boxer.
"Terry is a tremendous fighter and nothing would make me prouder than to see him become world champion in Manchester."
Flanagan added: "The pressure is on, but I'm channelling it in a positive way and using it to fire me up for the fight against Zepeda.
"My dream chance is on my doorstep at home and I can feel the pressure knowing that thousands of my fans are going to be packed into the Velodrome looking to see me beat Zepeda."
