ABIG-HITTING new sport and media sponsorship agency has signed up Ricky Hatton with a view to making him an even brighter star.

Fuse Sport is working with The Hitman from Hyde as he seeks fresh exposure across the range of media.

The agency is charged with helping Ricky to forge further relationships with commercial partners and is already in discussions with a number of media owners and potential partners regarding opportunities for the light welterweight boxer.

Hatton's agent Paul Speak said: "It's good to work with a sports agency like Fuse because they understand and appreciate the ambitions that we have for Ricky, like us, are based in Manchester and can help us as we move forward with Ricky's explosive career."

Based out of offices in central Manchester, Fuse Sport was founded last year by four north west businessmen with a wealth of media and sporting experience.

The team includes former Telegraph marketing director Mark Dixon; Adam Roland, ex-head of sponsorship for Emap and talkSPORT; ex-footballer Ben Haworth; and national press commercial director Tedd Walmsley.

They offer sports and media sponsorship advice and opportunities for a range of clients, individuals and professional sports clubs.

Already working with the fledgling agency are blue chip companies such as Coral, Northern Rock, Haymarket (publishers of 442), AOL, Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, as well as a series of large, successful north west-based businesses including David Mclean Properties and Manchester Casino 235.

Commenting on Fuse Sports' rapid rise, Adam Roland said: "No other agency links marketing, commercial, media and sports expertise.

"This combination ensures we can deliver and execute unique, groundbreaking, experiential solutions for our clients issues.

"They can range from TV radio, national press and football club sponsorships to our legends evenings at Manchester 235 where guests enjoy big sporting events such as the Cup Final whilst rubbing shoulders and playing the tables with footballing heroes such as Bryan Robson, Alex Stepney and Gary Owen."

Other clients agree that Fuse Sport offer a winning formula.

Simon Longbottom, commercial director with Coral, said: "It's great working with an agency that has both sports and media knowledge.

"They've direct experience of creating, buying, implementing, selling and participating in sports and media sponsorships.

"It's their combined experiences that put them in a unique position to firmly understand the markets we operate and would like to operate in." Tweet