Jimmy Joe Flint v Campbell Hatton: The man aiming to topple the Hatton boxing dynasty

Jimmy Joe Flint is the holder of the Central Area title

On February 27 1999, a 20-year-old Ricky Hatton won his first professional title, the Central Area light-welterweight belt.

That victory set the Briton on a path to stardom. On Saturday in Sheffield, his son Campbell Hatton, 23, challenges for the same title 25 years later.

But the man aiming to stop him, and topple the Hatton boxing dynasty, is the current belt-holder Jimmy Joe Flint.

Campbell knows only too well that he has some big boots to fill, and so does Flint.

"His dad can't fight for him," Flint says.

"The pressure is on him - I'm not expected to go and do anything. They are going to have a shock when I turn up and give the night of my life."

While Hatton is promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and represented by Anthony Joshua's 258 MGT, Flint has done it the hard way to get to this point.

Until now, most of his career has been fought on the small-hall circuit while holding down a full-time job.

The 26-year-old won the Central Area belt - his first professional title - almost exactly a year ago, more than a decade on from his debut amateur fight.

• 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce: At Home with the Sauerlands

• Hughes unfazed by title defence in Australia

• Whyte makes winning return after going 'through hell'

Family friend and fellow Traveller Tyson Fury has been a "big inspiration" in that time.

"I have known Tyson since I was a little boy," says Flint, who grew up just a few doors down from the family home of Fury's wife Paris in Doncaster.

"I have seen Tyson grow into this superstar. It's a big inspiration and someone I look up to very much."

According to the city's council, Doncaster is home to the UK's largest permanent Gypsy and Traveller populations.

Many will make the short journey across South Yorkshire to support one of their own in Sheffield.

"If one goes to war, we all go to war," says Flint, who also has family members coming from Ireland to watch him.

"Half of Doncaster is coming with us."

Faith plays a big part in the lives of many Travellers, including Fury, and Flint says his own Grannie Rosie will be "saying a little prayer" before the biggest night of his career.

But the so-called 'Young Lion', who has won 13 of his 16 bouts, will not be relying on divine intervention.

"I have never believed in myself more," he says.

Campbell Hatton (right) is unbeaten in 14 professional fights

"It's a massive opportunity for me. It would be nice to prove people wrong and it would be nice to get my name out there."

Flint, who has left his roofing business in the hands of his father and brother to dedicate himself to training for this fight, has vowed to give Hatton "the hardest night of his life" in his first ten-round contest.

"It's Jimmy Joe's world-title fight given where he's been," says his manager Stefy Bull.

Jason Cunningham will be making his debut as a head trainer in Flint's corner on the night "absolutely full of confidence".

And Cunningham knows a thing or two about causing an upset.

A perennial underdog throughout his own 39-fight career, he stunned the highly rated Gamal Yafai to win the European super-bantamweight title in 2021 before defeating the unbeaten Brad Foster to collect the British and Commonwealth belts during a late-career renaissance.

"It's all mental," says Cunningham of Flint's chances.

"Everyone is writing you off and there's all the flashing lights and cameras - you can't be overawed by it.

"When he leaves that changing room and he's making that lonely walk to the ring, when you are questioning yourself, Jimmy knows he's done everything.

"It's a chance for him to change his life.

"Campbell is game and he's improving all the time. He has improved, that's for sure. But I believe we have got him at the right time."

Jason Cunningham (right) says his fighter has "done everything" before the bout

• Revealing the truth about the stories that matter: Meet the caravan park residents who have been mis-sold their properties

• There's a million ways to get it wrong: John Wilson presents a superbly strange guide to modern life