RICKY HATTON insists boxing fans will be in for an “explosion” when Gary Buckland defends his British super-featherweight title against Stephen Foster Jr later this month.

The pair clash at Manchester Arena on Saturday November 24, on the same bill as Hatton’s comeback fight against Vyacheslav Senchenko.

Hatton said: “To say I'm proud of my undercard when I return would be an understatement to say the least, and this fight is a big reason why.

“It’s an explosive match up that has British ‘Fight of the Year’ written all over it.

“Gary and Steve are the number one and two super-featherweights in Britain.

“They are both aggressive front foot fighters that we didn't need a big ring the Manchester Arena. We could have staged it in a phone box.

“It’s a fantastic trade fight and the crowd at the arena and fans watching on television are in for a treat.”

Buckland (26-2) will be making the second defence of the title when he faces local man Foster (30-3-1).

Hatton added: “Foster Jr was on the crest of a wave winning the European title when he beat Levan Kirakosyan but after being in such great form lost against Ermano Fegatilli.

“The winner of this fight will be bang in contention for a shot at the European title so there is a lot on the line.”

There is world title action on the bill when Scott Quigg (24-0-1) meets Rendall Munroe (24-2-1) in a vacant interim WBA super-bantamweight title return match. Their summer showdown ended in a technical draw after three rounds because of Munroe’s cut right eye.

Sergey Rabchenko (21-0) defends his European light-middleweight crown against Frenchman Cedric Vitu (35-1) and Martin Murray (24-0-1) will feature in title action

Also in action are Hatton Promotions hopefuls Ashley Theophane (32-5-1), James Dickens (12-0), Adam Etches (9-0) and Scott Jenkins (6-0) and Sam O’Maison (3-0).

Ricky Hatton vs. Vyacheslav Senchenko will be shown live on Primetime, Channel 498 on Sky and Virgin-On-Demand, on Saturday 24th November for only £14.95. To order call 0871 200 4444 or go online to www.primetimeboxing.co.uk .

CLEVERLY AIMING TO SHINE IN US

NATHAN CLEVERLY hopes to win his own US Election this week by proving he is the light-heavyweight division’s future.

The Welsh star will be defending his WBO crown on one of boxing’s biggest stages at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday night against Shawn Hawk.

America goes to the polls on Tuesday, but the only votes Cleverly needs are from fans who want to see him in big match-ups against Tavoris Cloud, Beibut Shumenov, Chad Dawson and Bernard Hopkins early next year.

Four years ago this week Cleverly’s great mate Joe Calzaghe beat Roy Jones Jr in his last contest – again coinciding with US Presidential elections,

Cleverly, 25, and the former world super-middleweight champion are close pals and have sparred hundreds of rounds.

Comparisons are inescapable and Cleverly said: “Joe was a great fighter and it’s nice to be compared to such a good champion.

“But I’m out to be my own name and leave my own legacy, although I’m comfortable with the comparisons.

“It was tough sparring with Joe because he was the best in the world at his weight but it set me up a nice foundation.

“It’s starting to show in my style and the way I fight with fast hands. I helped Joe a lot because of my speed.

 “I helped Joe for his fights with Mikkel Kessler and Bernard Hopkins. I probably sparred over 200 rounds with him.

“It is inevitable that I’m compared with Joe, being just a couple miles apart and having similar boxing styles.

“Every fighter wants to make their own name and in the next year or so I have got an opportunity to take on the best in the world and make a legacy of my own.”

Cleverly’s title fight next weekend will also be screened live on US TV network Showtime guaranteeing mass exposure.

He added: “I don’t set a time scale of how long I should stay in boxing.

“I just want to unify the division and once that is achieved then what more is there provided I have made enough money.”

Cleverly v Hawk is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546). Join at boxnation.com.

WSB appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Lausanne, Switzerland, 05 November 2012 - With exactly ten days to go before the beginning of its third season, World Series of Boxing (WSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Karim Bouzidi as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Mr. Bouzidi, 41, will be responsible for all WSB Operations as well as managing the staff at the Headquarters in Lausanne.

Mr. Bouzidi, who holds dual French and Algerian nationality, has over 15 years experience in business development as well as a long-life passion for boxing. Former General Manager of Paris United, WSB Team Champions in 2010/2011, he has also been involved in the management of the International Boxing Centre of Tunis and has worked for the African Boxing Confederation in identifying African athletes in Europe.

"I gladly welcome Mr. Bouzidi to World Series of Boxing", stated Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, Chairman of the WSB Board. "It has been an absolute pleasure working with him over the past two years when he was leading the French Franchise with Brahim Asloum, and I am very happy that he will now put all his experience and expertise to the benefit of the competition. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Khodabakhsh for the invaluable work he has done since the inception of WSB. The product would not be the same if it had not been developed with him. I wish him the very best of luck for the future."

"I am extremely honored to have been offered this exciting challenge and I am very thankful to Dr Wu for that", said Mr. Bouzidi. "With new Franchises, dozens of London Olympians on board and pro boxers now allowed, I am convinced that this third season will be the most successful to date. We want to show the world that WSB is the place to be when it comes to top quality boxing. WSB is the perfect platform for Olympic boxers to test themselves in a pro format and also presents the ideal pathway to a full professional career with the AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) program, which is now just a year away. I cannot wait for this exciting season to begin on 15 November."