Stubbs bids to master rival

BOXING:

LORRY driver Darren Stubbs is hoping to carry away the vacant International Masters light-heavyweight title at Tara Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday.

The 38-year-old, who can expect a big following from the Shaw crowd, goes head to head with Birmingham’s Hastings Rasani over 10 three-minute rounds.

Stubbs, with 20 wins from 25 professional bouts, is the favourite and boasts a perfect record against his Zimbabwe-born opponent from their previous two meetings.

But he must be wary of the threat posed by Rasani (23 wins from 74 bouts), who in November beat Billy Boyle, rated one of the top light-heavyweights in the country.

Trainer Jack Doughty, of Doughty’s Gym, said: “Hastings is dangerous. He is a strong lad, who unleashes big swinging hooks. But Darren’s work-rate is tremendous and he is the fittest boxer I’ve had. He really comes into his own over the later rounds. When other boxers are starting to flag, he just keeps going.

“Being a lorry driver I don’t know how he stays so fit. He’ll sometimes start a shift at midnight, come home in the morning, have a sleep and then go to the gym.

“Darren’s skills are improving all the time, and we’ve been working on the pads and sparring leading up to this.”

Stubbs is a former holder of the International Masters light-heavyweight champion — he beat Sale’s Mark Nilson for the title in November 2008 — but had to relinquish the belt months later.

Stubbs hasn’t fought since May of last year — he outpointed Sheffield’s Carl Wild to win the vacant Central Area light-heavyweight crown — after he sustained a hand injury in the build up to a fight in November.

But he is raring to go again, and Doughty added: “His hand is fine now and Darren, being from Shaw, is very popular in these parts, which should make for a fantastic atmosphere.”
Another local boxer in action on the six-fight show is featherweight Alan Winterbottom, who meets Matin Mohammed, from South Yorkshire. Like Stubbs, he is a latecomer to the sport and has had two pro bouts so far, with one win and a defeat.

Super-featherweight Anser Hussain, from Rochdale, possesses an identical record to Winterbottom, and he takes on Birmingham’s Anthony Hanna.

Also on the bill is Manchester’s Liam Cullen, Ashton-under-Lyne’s Blaine Younis (super-bantamweight) and Huddersfield welterweight Liam Walsh.

Doors open at 12.30pm, with boxing from 2pm. Tickets are £20 standard or £30 ringside.


RICKY HATTON has again poured cold water on reports he has decided to retire from fighting.

The former two–weight world champion has yet to make a decision on his future following his knockout defeat by Manny Pacquiao in May last year, despite various media outlets prematurely claiming otherwise recently.

The 31–year–old Mancunian said: “There has been a lot of hearsay in recent weeks regarding my retirement, but I urge my loyal fans to ignore the speculation.

“If, and when, I do eventually decide to retire, the announcement will be made by myself. I feel that I have earned the right to do it myself.”