Hatton: Defeat can make or break you – and it has made Anto Upton

Ricky Hatton is “very very confident” ahead of Anto Upton’s English light welterweight title fight next weekend.

Belfast-raised Upton [12(4)-1(0)] goes into the title bout with Luke Paddock [14(1)-1(0)] in Wallsall looking to claim the belt at the second time of asking, having lost to Joe Hughes in December.

Trainer, and former two-weight World champ, Hatton revealed that preparations for the Sunday July 24th bout have gone perfectly.

“His training’s gone fantastic, sparring well.”

“He’s getting stronger all time.”

“He’s got that little bit of extra added experience.”

“We’re looking forward to going in there and hopefully bringing the belt back

Indeed Hatton believes that the points loss to Hughes has served to improve the youngest Upton brother as a boxer, and he explained that “he’s moved on from fighting Joe Hughes

“He’s took that experience on board, not let the loss get him down”

“He’s a better fighter because of it.”

“Defeats can either make or break you, and I’m very fortunate that, for the lads in my gym, it’s made them”

Upton will look to join his brother Pauly, who became Irish light middleweight champion in April, as a beltholder, while Sonny looks to claim the English light middleweight title in September.