27.09.06 – By James Slater: The undefeated, former British, Commonwealth and European super bantamweight champion, Hartlepool, England’s Michael Hunter, has a world title fight opportunity this November. The crowd pleasing warrior will fight fellow undefeated contender, Steve Molitor on the 10th of the month, and in his hometown, too. If ever a fighter deserved such a good chance at lifting world honours, it is Hunter. Never in a bad fight, the all-action Hunter, 26-0-1 (12 KO’s) is determined to prove he is the best super bantam in the world.. In his way stands “The Canadian Kid”, Molitor, who, though not a big puncher, as the eight KO’s from the twenty-two wins he has to his name indicate, is a fine fighter himself.
Indeed, the match-up is a very good one. Especially for British fight fans. Not only will the bout be fought over in the U.K, but if Hunter emerges triumphant he will add his name to a steadily growing number of world champions from the British fight scene. With Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton, Clinton Woods and more recently, Junior Witter, reigning as champions, boxing’s popularity has received a definite boost in Britain. Now Hunter has the chance to make it five of the best at world level. Can he beat Molitor?
The fight has to open as a pick ’em match, as far as predicting a winner goes. Both guys have never lost yet, therefore the self belief will be strong on both sides. As far as age and physical equipment go, both fighters are closely and evenly matched. Steve is twenty-six years old and stands at five feet and seven inches. While Michael is two years older and is slightly taller at five feet seven and a half. What Molitor has in his favour, though, is the fact that he is a southpaw. Boxing out of such a stance may well give him an advantage over the orthodox Hunter. But then Hunter has a distinct advantage in his corner, too. Steve has not boxed since his win over the Argentine, Jorge Antonio Paredes, last October. That means, by
fight time he will have been out of the ring for over a year. As such, Ring rust could well hinder him. Michael, on the other hand, last won in June, with yet another crowd pleasing show, against the tough French man, Tuncay Kaya. Will the man from Hartlepool be the sharper fighter then? Possibly.
Really, the fight is as well matched as any contest to decide a world title in recent memory – the slight possible advantages held by either boxer, being negated as they are by the plusses held by his opponent. This is what makes the fight so attractive. A sell-out crowd is a dead-cert, as has been the case for all Hunter’s recent fights. His fans are both loyal and
incredibly passionate. I have a feeling, that should the fight reach the point of being a gruelling encounter, where it becomes a case of who wants it more, Michael, with his vocal supporters present in vast numbers to spur him on, will just be able to dig a little deeper than his rival. If so, a tough and hard fought, not to mention very close, decision victory will
belong to him. As he adds his name to the growing number of world rulers from the boxing brigade in Britain.