Flanagan bids for world title shot

TERRY Flanagan leads a packed undercard of local talent at the Manchester Arena tonight, as he looks to become a two-weight world champion when he takes on Maurice Hooker for the vacant WBO super-lightweight title.

Ancoats boxer Flanagan is stepping up to 140 pounds for the first time, having won a world title at lightweight and defended it on several occasions.

He takes on fellow unbeaten opponent Hooker, who has won 23 and drawn three of his 26 professional fights. Also on the undercard, one of Ricky Hatton’s fighters will be in action as Nathan Gorman takes on Sean Turner in a heavyweight bout.

It will be the toughest fight of Gorman’s career, who is unbeaten in his 12 professional fights.

He hopes a victory over Turner could lead to a big domestic showdown against Daniel Dubois later in the year.

Oldham boxer Mark Heffron also has the hardest fight of his career to date, when he takes on Andrew Robinson.

Heffron has been impressive since turning professional, and the boxer now wants to be fast-tracked towards titles, with the first opportunity coming tonight when he takes on Robinson.

Zelfa Barrett will look to get back to winning ways when he faces Edwin Tellez – four months after Barrett suffered the first defeat of his professional career against Ronnie Clark.

James Metcalf, Jordan Thompson, Zac Burton, Jack Massey, Sam Maxwell, Troy Williamson, Jack Flatley, Alex Dickinson and Jack McGann are in action too.