Stafford fight duo working at close quarters
Stafford fighters Grant Cunningham and Rob Hunt have been preparing at close quarters with title aspirations in mind for Saturday night.
Cunningham has an eliminator for the English crown while Hunt goes for a British Bronze Masters crown at the Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock,
They have both been training hard out of the Fight Factory in Stoke-on-Trent for their ambitions to bring boxing belts home.
Cunningham, from Moss Pit, undertakes 10 rounds with fellow undefeated prospect Damon Jones to produce a challenger to champion Danny Butler.
'Maximus' has already claimed eight-round British Bronze Masters honours that Hunt covets at super middleweight, although he's dropping down to middle for this one.
He said: "We're both ready now. We've both put in the graft and feeling good. I feel sharp.
"It will all come down to the night now. I am undefeated, at the minute, but being a successful professional boxer is not just about your '0.'
"If you are up there with the big boys fighting for millions, maybe it's important but, at this stage of our careers, it doesn't mean anything.
"I'm not concerned about my record. All I want to do is progress, win this one and fight for an English title. I'm taking it a step at a time."
Hunt is hoping to make it third time lucky against a change of opponent, Wiltshire's Liam Richards stepping in for Derbyshire's Steve Jevons.
It's a pivotal fight for Hunt, who is hoping to make it third time lucky after falling short on both occasions he has been in for a crown.
The 29-year-old has over eight years and 24 bouts worth of paid experience, but wasn't able to claim British or International Masters honours.
But he will have considerable height and size advantage over Richards, who has jumped up the weights since holding a British Masters crown at super feather.
Hunt said: "It's been a great 10-week camp for us both. Having lads in the gym who are fighting at the same time is good.
"It means we can push each other on and are at the same stage, in terms of preparation. It's good for the gym and good for us all.
"We're all ready to go now. I want to get my hands on that title. Every boxer wants to win belts.
"This is a good opportunity for me. I've seen a bit of him and he's a decent boxer, but he's got his weaknesses. It's up to me to exploit them.
"Fighting close to home is obviously a bonus. This is the closest fight (to home) I will have had and, hopefully, I will get the win in front of a good crowd."
Tickets are still available, priced at £30 and £60 ringside. For more information, call 01543 504 065.
