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New Year hit parade

WILL Ricky Hatton make his long-awaited comeback? Will Amir Khan break America? 2009 was an incredible year for Greater Manchester boxing and here M.E.N. Sport's James Robson looks ahead to 2010 and what it will hold for some of our best fighters.

Amir Khan

Age: 23

2009 was the year the boy became a man. Khan fulfilled his life's ambition by winning his first world title.

The comprehensive points victory over Andreas Kotelnik to claim the WBA crown showed just how far Khan has come since his shaky first steps into the pro game.

And his first round knockout of Dmitry Salita gave a tantalising glimpse of the ferocious fighter Roach believes he will become. Still, Khan has his doubters and 2010 could be the year he proves beyond doubt he is more than just the product of slick marketing and hand-picked opponents.

Prospects for 2010: The only way is up for Khan and this is the year he should break America.

Ricky Hatton

Age: 31

2009 was a chastening one for the Hitman - but no one would be happy to see his career end as a result of Manny Pacquiao's explosive fists.

He is expected to confirm his return in February - but at this stage of his career, he is only looking to take on the big names.

Juan Manuel Marquez is an ideal opponent in age (36), weight (a natural lightweight) and profile as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world.

The Mexican is also keen to fight in Britain, giving Hatton another chance to stage an emotional homecoming at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Alternatively a Battle of Britain with Amir Khan is a mouth-watering prospect, but there are question marks as to whether the Hitman could cope with the sheer speed of his Bolton rival.

Prediction for 2010: A long-awaited comeback will give Hatton the chance to end his career on a high or prove the springboard for the next chapter in his incredible story.

John Murray

Age: 25

It's been quite the year for Murray. Stripped of his title and fined after failing to make the weight for his defence to Scott Lawton, he immediately reclaimed it with a stunning fourth round stoppage of Jon Thaxton in October.

The future remains bright for Murray, who takes on European champion Anthony Mezaache in 2010 before setting his sights on a first world title shot.

WBO king Michael Katsidis is the man Murray most wants to fight while intercontinental champ Kevin Mitchell represents a tantalising opponent.

Prediction for 2010: He first needs to claim the European title before setting his sights higher.

Michael Jennings

Age: 32

Got his chance at world glory when taking on Miguel Cotto for the WBO title in February but lasted just five rounds against the Puerto Rican.

Since then it's been a case of coming back down to earth with a bang with low-key victories against Willie Thompson and Laszlo Komjathi.

But he will get another chance at a title against British champion Kell Brook.

Prediction for 2010: He will prove a dangerous opponent for the rising star of British boxing.

Matthew Hatton

Age: 28

Ricky's brother has every right to think he's cursed. He saw fights with Zab Judah and Kell Brook fall through in 2009 while his hopes of a first world title turned to dust when a controversial judges' decision saw him draw with IBO champion Lovemore N'dou.

Prediction for 2010: Hatton will fancy his chances against N'dou again if that fight can be made while a meeting with Michael Jennings would be sure to pull in the crowds if staged in Manchester.

Anthony Crolla

Age: 23

Crolla's hopes of a shot at the British super-featherweight title went crashing when losing on points to Gary Sykes in May in an eliminator.

But he has responded in sensational fashion, beating the legendary Michael Brodie in three rounds in November.

Prediction for 2010: Under Hatton Promotions, he could well be in line for a British title shot.

Matthew Hall

Age: 25

A second round victory over Bradley Pryce for the Commonwealth title in March established Hall as one of the rising stars of British boxing.

But he came back down with a bump with an eighth round knockout at the hands of Anthony Small in July.

Prediction for 2010: After time to regroup, there is no reason why Hall can't get his career back on track.

Jamie Moore

Age: 31

It was an eventful year for Moore - finally winning the European light-middleweight title after a frustrating wait.

The third round knockout of Michele Piccirillo in March put the 31-year-old on the road to a world title shot, until his shock seventh round defeat to Ryan Rhodes in October saw his world come crashing down around him.

Prediction for 2010: Moore will have to use the next 12 months to find his feet at middleweight before moving up the rankings.

Matthew Macklin

Age: 27

Macklin produced one of the performances of 2009 with his first round knockout of European champion Amin Asikainen. First up is a first European title defence against Dmitry Pirog before setting his sights on WBC and WBO champ, Kelly Pavlik.

Prediction for 2010: Macklin quickly moved on from domestic matters after winning the British title - and he looks likely to do the same at European level.

Tyson Fury

Age: 21

Fury clearly enjoys courting controversy, often making headlines as much for his mouth as his fists. But he proved he is more than just talk in 2009, winning eight bouts - six by knockout - before the controversial win over John McDermott in September. A clash with the winner of McDermott and Dereck Chisora for the vacant English title is on in 2010, setting him up for British title shot against Danny Williams.

Predicition for 2010: Fury has the talent to become a major star but still has much to learn before reaching the top.

What are your predictions for 2010? Have your say.

Comments

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Khans prospects - "The only way is up for Khan and this is the year he should break America". Who writes this tosh!? I notice no one felt confident enough to put their name to it. If Khan fights a live young light welter with a dig then he is going to get starched, again!

I suppose that it "up" eh!?

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Tyson has got everything in his locker already, he doesn't need to learn much at all apart from listening to and applying tactics.

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"he doesn't need to learn much at all" another idiotic "spit my coffee all over my laptop moment from Hands of Stone.

Tyson is a novice, his conditioning is appalling, his footwork is that of a novice and he still flinches when he gets hit. He showed against McDonought that he was running before he could canter.

There is a lot more work that needs to go into Tyson and the rate that he switches trainers is VERY worrying indeed,

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Tell me the problem with his footwork then Angry abd how it affects his fight and then I will tell YOU exactly what it is and how easily it is corrected, so not a lot to learn technically really then you pleb.

OK, he gets involved in scraps when he should be using his lovely jab, and double and fein to throw the left hook. He can fight on the inside, but should only do this if he needs to which he clearly didn't against mcdermott. Its in his blood to want to show how game he is and scrap as it is in a lot of the English Gypsy kids. All he has to do is learn not to do that, keep in shape, keep a trainer for a sustained period and tone it down in interviews and the lad will be a star - He doesn't need to learn that much technically.

You know nowt you mug!

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'The Mexican is also keen to fight in Britain, giving Hatton another chance to stage an emotional homecoming at the City of Manchester Stadium.'

As I have said before MUEN, do your research. City have said publicly that they will not do concerts and such events in the future again-if I know that why dont you?!?!?!?

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Hands of stone

I would have to agree with angry here!! Tyson possess's a worse boxing ability now, then when I seen him box Dave price in the amateurs some years ago!!

The boy is huge and clearly doesn't know how to use his weight in his punches, lacks vision in the ring, and potentially looks like he has his boots tied together sometimes.

I personally would not of left jimmy egan gym as they developed him into a good fighter, but he now seems to have forgot the basic abc principles in boxing ( Shame he could be great with good guidance)

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Blue Nose - I will respect your opinion, but will have to pick you up on one or two points mate.

If you re-read all/most of my comments on this subject you will see that we are not a million miles apart on our opinions but it is easy to get wrapped up in angrys sensationalist comments.

I agree that there are thing that Tyson needs to be reminded of and my comments reflect this, however what I said was that he has everything in the locker already. I also agree that he has gone a little bit backwards and developed some bad habits since leaving Jimmy Egans, but none the less he has the full array in his locker and tons of ability (Did you see him in the ABA finals at York Hall a couple of years ago?)

As far as his feet are concerned, he has lost his width in his stance (wide enuff for a football, not a tennis ball - Angry, read a trade mag).
As at the moment he looks like he is on a tightrope and is losing rotation and therefore power, as well as it affecting defence and counter punching etc.

Hope that clarifies my position on the subject mate.

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HOS

Fair play yeah I agree and laughed at the tennis ball bit (Takes me back to my early boxing days) ha ha

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Nice one BlueNose - you obvously know your stuff...

Do you box competitively?

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yeah used to in east manchester, and used to teach myself, but these days I just do a bit with some ex boxers in south manchester!! Did you box?

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