TOP promoter Ricky Hatton believes his bumper bill in Sheffield next month will give British boxing a boost.

‘The Hitman’ stages what will be a sell-out night at Ponds Forge Arena on Saturday March 24, with Sky Sports broadcasting the action.

British boxing made headlines for the wrong reasons at the weekend when David Haye and Dereck Chisora brawled at a press conference.

Hatton said: “What happened in Munich wasn’t right, but there are thousands of shows every year and incidents like that are rare.

“Hatton Promotions Sheffield card next month will be fantastic. Fans at the arena and watching on TV will only have good things to say about British boxing afterwards.”

In top of the bill 12 rounder local hero Ryan Rhodes faces Belarussian sensation Sergey Rabchenko for the vacant European light-middleweight crown.

Exciting Gary Buckland will make his first British super-featherweight title defence against Paul Truscott.

Undefeated Steel City ticket sellers Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Richard Towers will be among the prospects in action.

Hatton added: “Ryan against Sergey is a battle between two of the world’s best light-middleweights and Gary’s fight will be a barnstormer.                                                                                                                                                                            

“Either fight would be good enough to stand alone on a card. To have both on the same show is a right treat.

“They are going to be breath-taking fights where the action will be non-stop.

“Sheffield is a boxing boom city at the moment and every time we promote there it is sold out.”

TRUSCOTT READY TO SHINE IN SHEFFIELD

PAUL TRUSCOTT isn’t short of confidence boasting that few British rivals can match his skills.

The silky Middlesbrough fighter believes he’ll back up the bragging when he challenges British super-featherweight champion Gary Buckland at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on Saturday March 24.

He says: “I believe I am the best pure boxer in the country at featherweight, super-featherweight or lightweight.

“I have just got to stick to what I am best at. Once I am in a boxing ring I am at home.”

Truscott, 25, had been due to challenge Buckland late last year, but the Welshman has pulled out due to injury.

He won the Commonwealth featherweight title back in 2008 when he outpointed Osumanu Akaba, but lost in his first defence against John Simpson who also won their return.

The Simpson setbacks are is only losses in 20 contests.

Paul warmed up for Buckland with a fifth round retirement win over Hatton Promotions stable mate Dezzie Higginson in November.

In the main event of the bumper card being televised  by Sky Sports local hero Ryan Rhodes will face Belarussian sensation Sergey Rabchenko for the vacant European light-middleweight crown.

Local unbeaten local ticket sellers Adam Etches, Scott Jenkins and Richard Towers will be among the prospects in action, along with Jack Perry and Maxi Hughes.

RICKY HATTON believes his protégé Adam Little is ready to move up in class despite having had less than 12 months professional experience.

The Blackpool welterweight bids for his fifth straight win at Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre on Friday March 2 when he meets a selected opponent.

The card is the latest in Hatton TV’s Friday fight night series that is broadcast live on You Tube and draws tens of thousands of fans from around the globe.

It will be 21-year-old’s final four rounder having impressed Hatton who started training him last October.

The two-weight world champion said: “Adam’s training for the Bury show has been exceptional and the longer we spend together in the gym understanding each other the better he will become.

“In the few months I have trained Ada, he has shown massive improvement and I feel ready to move him onto six-round class.

“He has also been taught so much by Joe Pennington before me and that has been so beneficial to the lad’s career.”

In the top of the bill contest Heywood’s Kieran Farrell challenges Yorkshireman Jon Baguley for the vacant Central Area light-welterweight title.

Callum De’Ath, Jimmy Kelly, Kieron Maher and Tom Shaw meet selected opponents. Other bouts Dean Halsall v Bobby Wood, Wayne Adaniyi v Tommy Shields and Craig Bunn v Billy Boyle.

Boxing starts at 7pm tickets are priced at £30 general admission and £55 ringside. You can buy by calling 01925 755 222, Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500, Ticketline 0844 888 9991, any boxer on the bill or online www.hattonboxing.com