Hunt's opponent warns of title threat

Stafford's only professional boxer Rob Hunt has been warned not to expect an easy ride in his bid to bring title glory to the town next Friday night.

The 24-year-old is up against former Midlands champion Ben Lawler at the Doncaster Dome, with the two light welters set to battle for the vacant International Masters light welterweight crown.

It's Hunt's first chance at a belt against an opponent who has bad memories of taking on West Midlands fighters, after seeing his area title ripped from him in less than a round by hometown challenger Dean Harrison at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in March.

Harrison and unbeaten 14-fight pro Hunt have already conversed about the fight, with the new challenger's camp now studying the Civic video at length.

But Lawler, the underdog after coming in at two weeks notice to cover the pull out of Wolverhampton's Chris Lewis, is hoping his opponent uses that as a barometer of what he is up against.

'The Skegness Brawler' is desperate to avenge that loss and is looking to drag Hunt down into the trenches come fight night.

He said: "I hope he does takes me lightly, because he's going to get a shock. I have just got to jump on him, if I stand off him he's going to catch me with his long shots, so I have got to get up close and bully him around, keeping my guard tight and taking it all on the gloves.

"It's a late opportunity for me but he will be tired now after training for so long, so he will be feeling worn down whereas I am fresh."

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