Sky Sports starts off the 2010 schedule with a Hatton Promotions show from Altrincham.  Matt Chudley has the preview.

The first live action of the new year from Sky Sports features Rob Norton defending his British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles against David Dolan in a rematch of one of last year’s best domestic fights.

Norton’s awkward southpaw style proved too much for Dolan in last year’s exciting clash, and the wily old pro – a 16 year veteran - from the West Midlands is favoured to out-smart the younger fighter from Sunderland again.

Given Norton's advanced age and the few hairy moments he endured in their previous meeting in which both fighters touched down more than once, the 37 year old will have to show up in shape and maintain his focus for the full 12 rounds if he plans to make it 2 for 2 over Dolan.

A highly accomplished amateur, Dolan embarked on the professional ranks in 2006 with lofty expectations and after 7 straight wins, entered the inaugural Prizefighter tournament as the heavy favourite. A couple of knockdowns however in the final against Martin Rogan saw Dolan’s high hopes derailed, and following the setback he turned his sights on the cruiserweight division.

At only 6’0 and weighing under 220 as a heavy, it appears to have been a sensible move as he would have been undersized against the division’s big men. Though fairly predictable and robotic in his movements, Dolan does possess a solid one-two and could put Norton under pressure more consistently if the champion has lost anything in terms of reflexes and mobility since the last encounter.

On the undercard…

Another rematch of one last year’s best fights features on the undercard with Paul Samuels and Cello Rendo set to do battle again. Their first encounter saw multiple knockdowns, including a simultaneous knockdown when both fighters connected with left hooks at the same time and a big comeback from underdog Paul Samuels to win the fight, all in the space of 3 rounds.

In other significant action, 28 year old prospect Mark Thompson takes on former British Welterweight champion Kevin McIntyre in a 10 round eliminator for the Lonsdale belt. Aggrieved at missing out on a Commonwealth eliminator in November after his opponent pulled out a day before, the 22-1 Thompson will be eager to get in line for the belt likely to be vacated by Kell Brook in the near future.

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