Jimmy Joe Flint believes that fans could be in for a “barnstormer” when he defends his Central Area super lightweight title against Campbell Hatton on Saturday.
The fighters will meet in Sheffield, U.K., on the undercard of Dalton Smith’s intriguing 140-pound bout with big-punching Jose Zepeda. Flint (13-1-2, 3 KOs), however, thinks his fight with Hatton (14-0, 5 KOs) could steal the show.
“It could be a barnstormer,” Flint, 26, told Boxing Now. “Styles make fights, and we’re not two worlds apart in style. We both like to dig deep and have a go.”
After spending 14 fights learning his trade, the unbeaten Hatton gets his first title opportunity against a hungry, determined fighter who is already battle-hardened at area level.
The training wheels are well and truly off.
“We’re not gonna need a very big ring to fight each other given how we both fight,” Flint said. “It’s a great fight for both of us. If I beat him, it opens up many doors and I can really push on. Likewise for him, if he beats me. I’m not a sore loser. I’ll shake his hand, and it can open up bigger doors for him as well. It’s one of those fights.”
In 2021, Flint lost a 10-round decision to Dom Hunt for the Central Area welterweight title, but he has enjoyed much more success since dropping down to 140 pounds. He claimed the Central Area super lightweight belt by stopping Joe Garside in the 10th and final round of an exciting battle and, last October, retained his belt after grinding out a thrilling draw with the talented Adam Sircar.
Days after the battle with Sircar, Flint’s manager, Stefy Bull, told Boxing Scene that he was going to make sure his fighter’s name was in the hat for a matchup with Hatton, and after spending a couple of months campaigning and politicking, the call came.
“It’ll certainly deliver for the fans,” Flint said of the Hatton fight. “It’s the fight we both need. He needs it to push on, and I need it to open doors for me. It’s a must-win both ways. Thankfully, they’re giving me the opportunity, and we’ll see where we go from here.”