By Nick Kelly

Manchester’s Matthew Hatton will make the first defence of the European welterweight on July 9th against Yuriy Nuzhnenko.  Although a venue is yet to be confirmed, it will take place in the Manchester area, with Altrincham and Wigan strong possibilities.

‘Magic’ Matthew Hatton, 39-4-2 (15 KOs), won the title defeating Italian Gianluca Branco by unanimous decision in March. 

33-year-old Nuzhnenko, 30-1-1 (14 KOs), is the former holder of the interim WBA welterweight title and WBA Inter-Continental welterweight title but lost last year when he challenged Vyacheslav Senchenko for the full title.  It was the first loss for Nuzhnenko, from Kiev Ukraine; he was defeated on a unanimous decision 116-112, 116-112, and 118-110.