American Mike Stewart has promised to give WBU World Light-Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton 'hell' when he challenges the Manchester terror for his title on Friday 1 October at the M.E.N Arena.

The hardman from Newcastle in Delaware said, "I can't wait to fight Ricky, my training is going fantastic and I'm shaping up great.  I'm raring to go and will give him hell on the night."

The former USBA Light-Welterweight Champion continued, "A lot of fighters are intimidated by him and back off but I will go straight for him.  Going forward is the only way I know how to fight.  I've seen Ricky fight plenty of times and he's the same as me - he never takes a step back.  When you've got two fighters who meet head-to-head then fireworks will happen.  I've got great respect for Ricky and he's a good fighter and it will be an exciting fight for the fans but don't underestimate me,"

With only two points losses in a 40 fight career, Stewart has never been stopped and he showed the Manchester fight fans in April -- on the Hatton-Dennis Pedersen card -- just how tough he is when he took Sharmba Mitchell the distance despite being dropped three times in the fight.

Stewart also took a shot at WBA Champion Vivian Harris who agreed to fight Hatton originally only to withdraw later, "These guys don't want to go over there and face Ricky but I was delighted to be offered the opportunity.  I'll fight anybody.  The way I see it is you've got to go and chase the opportunity whenever it appears.

Tickets are available from Keith Prowse Ticketing on 0870 906 3839, the M.E.N Arena Box Office on 0870 190 8000 and online at www.frankwarren.tv