Who is Campbell Hatton’s next opponent, James Flint?
Rising super-lightweight star Campbell Hatton (14-0, 5KO) will challenge for his first ever pro title, which his famous father, Ricky won before him, over 25 years ago.
Ricky Hatton won the Central Area super-lightweight tile in February 1999 and now his 23-year-old son, Campbell, is aiming to follow in his footsteps a quarter of a century later.
Up against the reigning titleholder, James Flint (13-1-2-1NC, 3KO), Campbell is currently the bookies’ favourite, at 8/13 on average, compared to 13/10 for Flint, so it will likely be a closely fought match. A draw, on the other hand, is as low as 16/1, which is fairly low. Of course, guides can be found to compare different bookmakers who might be offering better odds or special promotions on the event to help you get more from your money.
Yorkshire’s Flint has drawn two fights already during his short but storied 17-fight career, but who the man known as Jimmy Joe? BBN discovered a host of facts all about the ‘Hurricane’s’ next opponent right here:
Jimmy Joe (James) Flint
James Flint was born in Doncaster on July 7, 1997 (07/07/97) and is currently 26-years-old.
His boxing nickname is ‘The Young Lion’.
On his fight shorts, his name is displayed as JJ Flint (Jimmy Joe Flint).
His professional debut in February 2018 ended disastrously on a very sad night for British boxing, as midway through his pro bow against Victor Edagha, the ringside paramedics were called away in an emergency to provide medical attention to Scott Westgarth, who had collapsed in his dressing room and later tragically passed away in hospital following his fight with Dec Spelman. Flint’s fight was declared a No Contest after two rounds.
He managed to fight a further four times that year, winning the first two by TKO and the second two on points.
In July, 2019, one day before his 22nd birthday, he drew with Lee Connelly 38-38 over four rounds – his first legitimate blemish on his pro record.
His first and only defeat came when he stepped up to challenge unbeaten Dom Hunt (7-0) for the vacant Central Area welterweight title in November 2021. He lost widely on points, scored 93-98.
He came back to win three fights in a row during 2022 – all on points – to set himself up for another shot at the Central Area belt, this time at super-lightweight, which he won via 10th round TKO against 6-0 Joe Garside in March 2023.
His first title defence to Adam Sircar ended via a draw in October last year. The champion rallied back from a detrimental second-round knockdown to even the score to 95-95 to keep his title.
He is managed and trained by Stefy Bull and is teammates with Jason Cunningham. He has sparred with English lightweight champion Lewis Sylvester and unbeaten prospect Hughie Wilson.
He is a huge Doncaster Rovers FC fan and has been pictured on the ground at the Eco Power Stadium with his belt.
Jimmy is a father to a baby daughter, born in October 2023, with his wife Molly Flint.