Midlands title is 'all that matters' to Rob Hunt

Stafford's Rob Hunt today told of how the Midlands welterweight title is "all that matters" to him after the best night of his eight-year career.

It's proved a long road to the area crown for Hunt as he claimed the belt he has coveted for years in his 26th professional contest,

The 29-year-old has experienced plenty of ups and downs, claiming his first strap in his previous contest at the same venue where he also made his 2006 debut, Walsall Town Hall.

Hunt's over-the-distance victory over Liam Richards for eight-round British Masters Bronze honours put him in contention for Midlands glory.

And it's a chance the tall fighter would grasp with both hands, dropping and then outpointing Nuneaton's Sullivan Mason to take the vacant belt.

He celebrated with his fans from the town after the final bell and, after a rest, will now turn his attentions to becoming a fighting champion.

He said: "Every journey is different, some lads get a Midlands title shot after six or seven fights. It's taken me a lot longer, but I've got it now and that's all that matters.

"What people say about me doesn't bother me anymore - let them get in and do it. I've had two fights this year and won two titles. It's been a long time coming.

"I am enjoying my boxing now and, when you do that, the shots come faster and harder."

Skliful Mason, who would be beaten for only the second time in 13 pro contests, stood in his way over 10 rounds on last Saturday's fight night.

He left well-beaten having visited the canvas for the first time in his paid career, the bell sounding in timely fashion at the end of the third.

Hunt had taken command and switched to floor Mason with a left hook, from which he rose near to the call for the end of the session.

Then came the Mason fightback as he windmilled forward throwing wild hooks, forcing Hunt onto the back-foot.

Hunt resumed the role of aggressor from the seventh, although he had to absorb a couple of left hooks in the eighth.

Mason, who had put everything into trying to save the fight over the second half of the contest, faded as the bout went into his dying embers.

Hunt put his stamp onto proceedings and it went to the cards. The title was Hunt's by three rounds, 96-93, with Mr Messer.

Hunt said: "It was the best night of my career and I thought I boxed well, against a slippery opponent. At times, we smothered each other's work.

"I got the knockdown, but he clung on and used his brain. I had to box on, he caught me a few times, but I sucked it up and battled on."