Promoter Ricky Hatton says Scott Quigg's tough British Super-bantamweight title defence against Jamie Arthur will stand him in good stead for the future.

"There's a lot of talk about Frampton and Quigg because of the styles of them but what they are losing track of is Rendall Munroe is number one. He's been European champion, he's fought for the World title and did a fantastic performance."
Ricky Hatton Quotes of the week

Welshman Arthur put Quigg, out of Hatton's stable, on the canvas in the fourth round of their clash in Bolton, but Quigg recovered to stretch his unbeaten run to 24 professional fights.

Reflecting on the fight, Hatton said: "It wasn't a bad performance and I can't say as a promoter I'm disappointed with it because I think by the time I fought Kostya Tszyu I'd suffered cuts, I'd suffered knockdowns, I'd gone through everything in the boxing ring that's possible.

"This is another fight where Scott ticks another box; this fight has got to be seen as a plus.

"This fight reminds me a little bit of when I fought Eamon Magee. People start getting excited.

"They start throwing your name about - they are talking about a possible world champion in the making - and sometimes with these routine defences that you are expected to win you take your eye off the prize that little bit and sometimes you need to get on the seat of your pants to make you get back to the basics."

Risk

Despite the victory, Hatton, a two-weight world champion between 2005-07, is reluctant to put Quigg up against Northern Ireland's Carl Frampton - as he believes the fight will come too soon for 'The Jackal'.

"The Frampton story is rolling at a great pace," said Hatton. "He's only had 12 fights, he's going to get even better and better. Whether we like it or not, Scott Quigg is ahead of him progress wise; he's fought better opposition and has experience, he's had double the fights.

"Do we want to jeopardise and risk a talent such as Carl Frampton after just 12 fights. Do we want to take the chance with him? I wouldn't personally.

Proud

Hatton told Ringside he is enjoying every moment of being a promoter and right now is particularly proud of Martin Murray, who overcame Felix Sturm to win the WBA Middleweight title.

"Boxing's a passion for me," he said. "I want to give a little bit back to the sport and when I get someone a European title fight, or a world title fight or I see them lift that British Lonsdale belt up over their head, it makes me feel dead chuffed.

"I was very proud of Martin. I don't think anybody really gave him a chance due to the fact that he's got there in the quickest time possible. He hadn't had half the fights - no disrespect to our other middleweight who is doing us proud, Matthew Macklin - he's got there as a novice at this World championship level.

"To perform like that - believe you me - the best is yet to come. He did exceed my expectations. We went there thinking he could win it and he was right in there at the end. It probably could have gone either way depending on what style of fighter you like.

"I was so proud of him. This professional game is not a sprint, it's a marathon and he will be better for that."

Ambitious

Looking ahead, Hatton says British fight fans can look forward to a feast of middleweight boxing - providing he and his fellow promoters can make the fights happen.

"Obviously we want Matthew Macklin to go over there and beat Sergio Martinez and then that becomes more appetising for the British fight fans.

"I'd like to do the Darren Barker fight; we made a try and it didn't quite come off because, I believe, that Darren Barker has got a world title shot in the pipeline and if that does come off I wish Darren all the best and good luck to him.

"It's an exciting time for British fight fans and depending on what order you put it in, it's not going to be a long time because I know Darren is ambitious, I know Martin Murray is certainly ambitious and Matthew Macklin is, as he's proved by going in against Martinez.

"These fighters aren't scared of fighting each other and hopefully we as promoters can put pen to paper and get the job done."