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Rob Hunt will box on despite title defeat

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Stafford's Rob Hunt has defiantly vowed to box on despite the loss of his Midlands welterweight title in just two rounds.

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Hunt's area crown was snatched away in brutal fashion on the Matchroom Boxing bill at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham last weekend,

writes Craig Birch.

The Midlands titlist was defending the belt for the first time against Brummie challenger Karl Wiggins, who took him out with a right hand.

That sent the beaten champion back to the drawing board, in the wake of his fourth pro defeat in 28 bouts during a career that started in 2006.

But the 29-year-old has vowed to bounce back again, as he did after his previous three disappointments which all came inside-the-distance.

Hunt said: "It's my pride that's hurt, more than anything, but it's boxing and these things happen. I can't allow myself to think negatively.

"I want to be back in the ring by the end of the year, just with a four-rounder or something to get me back into it, and then target a title fight.

"If my record was terrible, I'd call it a day, but I've won 22 times. I'm still relatively young and not shop worn from a lot of wars in there, too.

"For now, I need a good rest. That was my fourth title fight this year and, as Sam Eggington will tell you after the main event, that's a lot.

"I'm not making excuses and I wished Karl all of the best after the fight. I'd love a rematch with him, because I know I can do a lot better.

"If the chance is there, I'd even come to Birmingham and onto his turf again to try and get the belt back. I can sell tickets, so why not?"

Rob Hunt down in his Midlands title defence against Karl Wiggins. Picture by Lawrence Lustig.

British and Commonwealth champion Eggington - at his weight - climbed off the floor to outpoint Dale Evans in the show's top-liner.

But there was no getting up from the booming right hook, from out of nowhere, that heavily dropped Hunt late on in the second round.

Hunt had looked static, struggling to find the range to fend off him with the jab, giving Wiggins the confidence to wade in and attack.

There was just 26 seconds left until the bell when Hunt went down, referee Terry O'Connor wisely dispensing with the count on seven.

Hunt said: "Strangely enough, I don't feel like I've been in a fight, it actually seems to be less painful then getting beat up for 10 rounds.

"He was switch hitting and his style confused me. I didn't know a great deal about him, as there wasn't a lot of footage to watch around.

"I did feel nervous, too, and maybe that had an effect. I should have come out a bit faster and tried to get him onto the back-foot early on.

"I just didn't see the big punch coming and those are the ones that really put you down, but I've been counted out before and I'll be back."

[interruptor]