Campbell Hatton vs James Flint Predictions: ‘Hurricane’ can’t blow this chance

Campbell Hatton faces the only man to ever defeat him, James Flint, this Saturday, October 26. The bout takes place at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on a bill headlined by Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis. DAZN will screen the event live.

Here are my Hatton vs Flint predictions ahead of a fight with plenty of needle.

Hatton is one of the most scrutinised prospects in British boxing. Since he debuted in 2021, a deluge of social media experts have criticised his every move, viewing it through the prism of his famous father. 

Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton is one of the greatest British boxers of all-time. A two-weight world champion who captured belts and hearts at home and abroad. Many boxers have been popular but few have attracted genuine obsession like Hatton. Tens of thousands of Brits would travel the world for his fights. The strains of “walking in a Hatton wonderland” reverberating around press conferences became a common chorus. They don’t come much more beloved than the elder Hatton.

That is a hell of a lot to live up to. Campbell has had to grow up in front of the cameras, with a lot of his early fights taking place on televised arena shows. Hatton would likely have benefitted from a quieter existence early on. Fighters usually get some leeway to make their mistakes away from the glare of fame. 

But Hatton’s treatment has been akin to that of an Olympian, unleashed upon the pro ranks and expected to thrive. Except in this case, ‘Hurricane’ wasn’t walking in with a gold medal but a mere 31 fights of amateur activity. If he was called Campbell Smith, he would have been allowed to ply his trade on the small hall circuit. But growing up Hatton, while having its commercial benefits, perhaps hurt his development.

Still, despite the online crybabies and the outsized platform, Hatton started his career relatively well. There was some controversy when he was awarded a six-round decision over journeyman Sonny Martinez, with many feeling he was fortunate to get the loss. But on the whole, Hatton performed relatively well in collecting a 14-0 record.

Hatton’s efforts landed him a Southern Area title fight against James Flint. It would be Hatton’s first 10-round outing, a true step-up after sharpening his tools in shorter bouts. Flint had two bouts of that length under his belt already, but his level of competition was similar to Hatton’s. It felt like a sensible next move for ‘Hurricane’.

But on the night this carefully laid-out plan unravelled. Flint outscored Hatton over 10 rounds to take the upset and the title. The fight was ferocious, with Flint having the last word in some scorching exchanges.

While the fight stripped Hatton of his unblemished record and denied him a first pro belt, it did reveal something about his character. The toughness Campbell showed in walking through Flint’s shots to deliver his own artillery was incredible. It remains to be seen whether Hatton has the skills to thrive at a higher level. But his heart, durability and pure resilience can never be questioned. Hatton isn’t a boxer because his dad was. He is a boxer because he belongs in that ring.

Whether Flint agrees is another matter. The 27-year-old has been going out of his way to antagonise his opponent. ‘The Young Lion’ stayed at ringside to heckle Hatton during his public workout in Manchester last week. Afterwards, the pair exchanged heated words face-to-face. A lot of boxing feuds are manufactured for the cameras. But having been there to witness this exchange, it felt tense and authentic. These guys seem to have a genuine distaste for one another.

Campbell Hatton vs James Flint Fight Odds

Flint is 11/8 to repeat his win from the first bout. Hatton evening the score with a victory is 4/7. A draw in what should be a closely-contested fight is a solid 16/1. 

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Campbell Hatton vs James Flint Predictions

Flint took Hatton’s best work in the first fight and still prevailed. Despite the thrilling nature of the contest, ‘The Young Lion’ always looked to have a measure of control about his work. Hatton was fighting for his professional life, Flint was fighting to win.

But Hatton has dedicated himself as he looks to rebound from that defeat. The 23-year-old is travelling from Manchester down to Essex every week to work with top trainer Ben Davison and is sure to see the benefits. 

Flint will come to fight once more. He always does. But I think he’ll be facing down a far better Hatton this time. A first loss can make or break a fighter. I think the Flint defeat will make Hatton. I believe that renewed ‘Hurricane’ will pick up the win here. I’m backing Hatton to win on points, with a Price Boost to from 1/1 to 11/10.

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