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Hatton to face 'The Heat'
2013-02-18 19:11
Chris "The Heat" van Heerden (Gallo Images)
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Johannesburg - Briton Matthew Hatton, with a full retinue, arrives in South Africa on Tuesday to challenge Chris "The Heat" van Heerden for his IBO welterweight title.
This was revealed on Monday by Showpony Promotions, who said the Hatton contingent would be accompanied by light-heavywight Mattie Clarkson, who meets former South African champion Tshepang Mohale on the Sandton Convention Centre bill on March 2 which was finalised by the promotion company on Monday.
Hatton, the younger brother of renowned former champion Ricky Hatton, previously fought a draw for the IBO title and has vowed to "make no mistake this time."
Van Heerden, who has become one of South African boxing's main drawcards over the past year, has set his sights on securing the title of one of the more prestigious "big four" international associations - and is adamant that Hatton will not upset the applecart.
Also on the March 2 bill, Osborne Machimane is aiming to use Elvis Moyo as a stepping stone to regaining the South African heavyweight title.
And top South African welterweight fighters of yesteryear, Isaac "The Angel" Hlatswayo and Kaizer "The Beast" Mabuza, will be seeking to rekindle their fading careers.
The five-fight programme will be launched by a welterweight contest between Lobande Batele and Mthobisi Buthelezi.