Midlands trio looking to impress Ricky Hatton

Three blemish-free Midlands-based fighters are looking to get Ricky Hatton's seal of approval on Saturday night (June 18).

Alfreton lefty Dale Miles (pictured), Cradley featherweight Chris Male and debuting Leicester welter Junior Thompson all see action at Wigan's Robin Park Centre, forming part of a Sky Sports-televised undercard that see's local middleweight, undefeated Commonwealth boss Martin Murray, challenging for the vacant British title against Nick Blackwell.

Shinfield-handled Miles, 10-0 (7), is tipped for big things after winning the British Masters welterweight title with a frightening seven-round KO over then-10-fight unbeaten Rob Kenney. 

And since flattening the Wolverhampton fighter in 2009, the 26-year-old Mansfield-born banger, whose six-round opponent has yet to be named, has stopped his last four - three of them failing to see the end of the second round. He's aware that a quality showing will lead to future backing from the Hattons and possible shots at domestic crowns.

Another ten-bout (one inside) unbeaten pro, British Masters featherweight monarch Male, does have named opposition on the Hatton Promotions-promoted bill - and a potential opponent lined up for his next fight.

The 28-year-old West Midlander, a postman by day and puncher by night, swaps leather with former Welsh champion Dai Davies over a tricky-looking six and is then penciled in to settle an argument with Joe Murray, the former World Amateur bronze medalist and undefeated paid stylist who boxes for the IBF Youth featherweight belt on the same card.

And Male, who impressively won his last fight inside a round, said: "He [Murray, 10-0 (5) and brother of European lightweight boss John] is a quality fighter but these are the men i need to beat if i want to win the British title.

"I think i can beat him and he'll have to do a lot to change my mind," boasted Chris of a potential fight that's likely to be for the English 9st belt - providing both men win on Saturday night.

Leicester's Thompson has a baptism of fire against heavy-handed Blackpool bruiser Adam Little, 2-0 (1), over four rounds. A former top-rated unpaid fighter who reached a National Schoolboy final in 2001, Junior will be supported in the North West by friend and world-rated same-city stylist Rendall Munroe, who is promoted by Hatton Promotions.