Quigg set for February defence

Scott Quigg will make the first defence of his British super-bantamweight title early next year on Saturday February 4.

The contest will take place in the Premier Suite at Bolton’s Reebok Arena and is being televised live on Sky Sports. Hatton Promotions hope to announce the challenger in the next ten days for the clash that looks sure to be sell-out – just 12 miles from Quigg’s Bury home.

Quigg, 23, became domestic champion in October, forcing Jason Booth to quit on his stool after seven rounds. Ricky Hatton believes unbeaten Quigg (23-0) is well on the way to becoming a world champion, and is eyeing an eventual fight with Barry McGuigan protégé Carl Frampton.

'The Hitman' said: “I have always spoken highly of Scott and now people will start to take more notice after the Booth win.

“I look forward in the near future to seeing Scott taking on Carl Frampton who Barry McGuigan believes will take the world by storm, but I disagree massively.

“Although I'm a Frampton fan, Scott is an all-rounder, solid in every department and tip Scott to beat him when they meet down the line.

“The last time me and Barry disagreed on match was when Michael Gomez beat Alex Arthur. Barry picked Arthur and I picked Gomez. Gomez won a classic, and Quigg will also win a classic against Frampton when they meet.”

On the undercard Manchester’s Beijing Olympian meets fellow unbeaten hopeful Chris Male for the vacant English featherweight title. Hatton Promotions prospects Jez Wilson and Tom Doran clash in a battle of light-middleweight hopefuls (Hopeful is the word - this is the third time the contest has been scheduled - Ed.). The card will also include Craig Lyon.