POPULAR James Hare will get Huddersfield's professional boxing season off to a sizzling start by fighting for the British welterweight crown.
The Berry Brow star attempts to become the town's second reigning national champion and only the third in its history when he takes on holder David Barnes at Manchester Arena on Friday, October 1.
The big Barnes-Hare match-up will form the chief support to Ricky Hatton's IBF light welterweight title eliminator against American Mike Stewart.
And to add an interesting dash of flavour for fight fans from both Huddersfield and Manchester, Hare's Northern Fitness stablemate Shaun Armstrong will take on Hatton's younger brother Matthew at welterweight.
While it will be a first fight in 11 months for the injury plagued Armstrong, who is Huddersfield trainer Chris Aston's longest-serving pro, Hare has chalked up two wins since suffering a first career defeat in his WBF title defence against Mexican Cosme Rivera at the Sports Centre in December.
The 10th-round stoppage was a major setback for the 28-year-old, whose only blip in 29 previous fights had been a draw back in 1999.
But Hare, who has also held the Commonwealth and European Community belts at 10st 7lb, is more than ready to get back on the title track.
Not that the man who will attempt to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Mark Hobson, the reigning British cruiserweight king, and Prince Rodney, British light-middleweight champion in the Eighties, will be taking anything for granted.
Barnes, who will have home-city support, is five years younger and has won all 15 of his pro fights, eight of them inside the distance.
He is underestimated by many, perhaps because he appeared to be fortunate to get the decision over Jimmy Vincent in winning the vacant Lonsdale Belt in 2003.
Hare, who has 13 stoppages in his 30 wins from 32 fights, said: "I saw the fight with Vincent, and for me Barnes toughed it out and proved he's got some bottle.
"I also saw his fight with Kevin McIntyre (Barnes won in the eighth in his first defence) and he impressed.
"McIntyre had his moments early on but Barnes went through the gears and broke him down well.
"Basically, I think Barnes is a boxer who prefers to pick his shots. That's what I do, so it could be a bit of a chess match in the opening rounds.
"But I am confident I've got advantages over him."
On the chance of winning the national title, Hare said: "I've always wanted to be British champion.
"I won an eliminator back in 2001 (against John Humphrey) but my career went in a different direction.
"Now, though, it is the right move and I'm confident I can win the title."
Hare's stablemate Paddy Folan, meanwhile, will yield home advantage to Neil Marston in a 9st clash in Shrewsbury on Sunday week, September 12.
It's a 31st outing for 32-year-old Folan against Southpaw Marston, who suffered a points defeat on his debut against Dai Davies in Birmingham last month.
