Praise and Grumble

The Fenton Manor complex is probably better known to the people of Stoke on Trent as the top-class, council-run sports and leisure facility.  Many local people use the state-of-the-art pool, and attend fitness classes there.

Yet the venue also has an international reputation, particularly in gymnastics, where it regularly hosts national and international championships. On November 13 2009 it staged a world title boxing bout - the first one ever in the city.

The fight was promoted by boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who had no hesitation in bringing the fight to Fenton. 

He admitted that he had noticed huge contingents of supporters from the city when he had boxed abroad, and was intrigued by the Stoke fans’ passion.

Ricky shows his love for Stoke

Ricky said: "When I was in Las Vegas I bumped into loads of my fans from Stoke and they were saying to me when are you going to come (to the city)?" 

"I've also done some after dinner speaking there and always been well recieved. There has always been a massive interest in boxing in Stoke, and it showed with the support for Matthew."

Matthew Hatton

Although promoting wise the night was a success for the Hatton family, Matthew lost his bid to land the IBO welterweight belt, with the judges deeming his fight with Lovemore N'dou a draw.

Matthew believed that he'd done enough to win the match on points, but the judges saw it differently, allowing N'dou to keep his belt.

That decision has thrown up suggestions of a re-match, but whether that will happen at Fenton Manor is yet to be seen.

Ricky Hatton confessed that his first priority on the night was to urge his brother forward to success.

But at the back of his mind, there's no doubt he’ll be weighing up whether the city and it's boxing community has done enough so that other major title fights will be held in Stoke-on-Trent.

Ricky said: "Stoke has always had a great tradition of sport, you know like through football and darts. It has great sporting fans so Stoke is as good a place as any to put a title fight on. Hopefully it'll be the first of many (in the city)."

Watch this space!