Rob caps fine year with fight

Stafford scrapper Rob Hunt has been compared to Amir Khan as he caps a fine debut year as a professional by preparing to top the bill on his own show.

The highly-rated light-welterweight will be the star attraction on a dinner show at Uttoxeter racecourse on October 19, fighting in his second four-threes contest.

Negotiations are ongoing as to who the 21-year-old is to fight, with manager Paul Dykes set to lure Gloucester fighter Chris Long after first choice opponent Rob Hogan retired.

Long, who has stopped three of his eight opponents he has beaten in 26 paid outings, is seen as a move up from the "journeymen stage" which has seen Hunt reel off six successive wins.Hunt has gained his reward for becoming one of the biggest ticket sellers in the region, and will be top of the bill despite the presence of Telford's Midlands lightweight champion Tristan Davies, also in action there.

A builder by trade, the Stafford man has a left jab to demolish most fighters on the circuit, and it is his reputation for possessing iron fists which has quickly drawn comparisons with Olympic silver medallist Khan, who has become the nation's most marketable fighter after Ricky Hatton.

Stoke's English lightweight title holder Scott Lawton, who is Khan's next opponent next Saturday at the Nottingham Ice Arena, booked Hunt in for a sparring session this week in a bid to find out what he's letting himself in for against the world BF and Commonwealth champion.

"I took Rob there on Tuesday and it was a compliment to him, but they asked him because of the speed of his jab," said Hunt's manager Paul Dykes, who used to manage Lawton.

"He did four workmanlike rounds and it was a brilliant experience for him. I think he was a bit subdued in the first round because Scott's been around a bit, but once he got into his stride, he caught him with some nice punches.

"It wasn't all-out sparring, more conditioning, but he did very well.

"Scott thought it was good too and it was beneficial to Rob because Scott has got a good boxing brain and takes time out to talk to the boxers and Rob said he's learned a lot."

Tickets, which include a three course meal and three to four fights, are priced £65 and are available from Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283157.