Alex Dilmaghani has earned a three-year deal with Ricky Hatton.
The 19-year-old was snapped up by Hatton Promotions after impressing in only his second professional fight.
Dilmaghani, who is managed and trained by Chris Eubank’s former coach Ronnie Davies in Hove, won all four rounds against Daniel Thorpe at the Velodrome in Manchester and more good news followed from the Hatton camp.
The lightweight from Worthing said: “Straight after the fight they offered me a one-year contract to be promoted by them.
“But after watching the tape of the fight they came to me and offered a three-year contract.”
The deal is for five fights a year and Davies said: “They want to build him up for an English title fight and, if he wins that, then a British title .
“Nothing has changed as I will still continue to train and manage him but they will promote him.
“Hatton has a deal with Sky so at some point Alex will be on television.
“It’s so hard to get fighters on the bill or get them the right fights so this is a great opportunity for him.
“He’s only a prospect at the moment and nobody should go over the top but they think he is a very exciting fighter because of his age.
“Ricky Hatton was very pleased with him and was surprised he was so good after only four amateur bouts and two as a professional. Hatton said he expects big things from him in the future.”
Dilmaghani, who recently got three A levels and hopes to attend Brighton University, is delighted with the contract but not surprised.
He said: “I am confident in my own ability. I have ambitions to surpass British titles and fight for world titles. In two years I want to hold the British title.”
Dilmaghani is a long-term admirer of Hatton, the four times world champion, who is trying to establish Hatton Promotions as a force in British boxing by signing up exciting young fighters.
Former Olympian Joe Murray is already on the books and Dilmaghani believes he fits their profile.
He said: “I am a hungry fighter and Hatton is a hungry promoter. I think I am with the right promoter and I am delighted to be fighting for him.
“Hatton has a great crowd-pleasing style and is a big fan of Roberto Duran, who is my hero too.
“I am really pleased to be boxing under Hatton.”
Davies added: “For a boxer to become a champion these days you need a good promoter behind you.
“He has got the deal on his ability because he is not a ticket seller yet and is just starting off.”
Hatton said: “As a promoter I am able to help young boxers reach their maximum.
“I reached world title class and stayed there. I know what it takes to reach the top and I want to help young lads do the same. I am under no illusions it will be easy. I learned to be a boxer and now I want to learn to be a successful promoter.
“The sport has been great for me and my family and I cannot imagine life without it. It’s great to give others the same chance.”
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