IBO World Lightweight Welterweight Contest, City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom: Ricky Hatton (Eng) beat Juan Lazcano (Mex) PTS 120-110 118-110 120-108.

JUAN LAZCANO believes the battles with adversity which have blighted his career will stand him in good stead when he faces Ricky Hatton in front of 55,000 fans at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday night.

HEAVYWEIGHTS Eamonn Higgins (UCC) and Martin Donovan (OLOL) claim top billing on Friday night when Cork County Board host a charity boxing show in aid of the Alzheimer’s Association at Neptune Stadium (7pm).

RICKY HATTON hopes to have secured his next two fights within a week — with bouts on both sides of the Atlantic planned.

PAUL McCLOSKEY has big plans for 2008 but they will all amount to nothing if he can’t get past Mexican dangerman Manuel Garnica at the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night at the University Sports Arena, Limerick on February 2 which will be headlined by Andy Lee.