First things first but title rivals could meet again

Calls are growing for the two to stage 'Hunt v Pearce II' should both of them have belts strapped to their waists at Walsall Town Hall,

There's good and bad memories of the venue for Pearce, the best of which when he took out Hunt in five for the British Masters title in late 2013.

Pearce boxes on the under-card with a tilt at the eight-round British Masters Bronze strap against Amir Unsworth, in another must-win bout.

Sleaford's Unsworth, a fellow former area champion at lightweight, will take him on in what's expect to be a war between two tough scrappers.

Provided he comes out on top, 'Fierce Pearce' will then watch Stafford's Hunt and Nuneaton's Sullivan Mason contest the Midlands welter crown.

It's an honour he held two years ago before relinquishing to fellow Stourbridge fighter Sam Eggington, who vacated to go for the Commonwealth.

Hunt - finally crowned British Masters Bronze champion in his last bout, his 25th professional contest - and Mason now get their chance.

And Hunt said: "There is going to be nowhere to hide, not that I would want to. I've had nothing but the Midlands title in my mind for weeks.

"It's something I dream and think of, all through my training and wherever I am. To become the area champion would mean so much to me.

"In the past, I have struggled with nerves, but I have felt strangely calm all through this. I believe my game plan and the hard work will pay off.

"People will look at my power (two stoppages from 20 wins) and think I can't hurt Mason. What they don't remember is I have never really fought anyone 6ft, like me.

"When I put combinations together, I think I have the punches that can outbox Mason. It's all down to me and what I can do on the night.

"The Pearce defeat still hurts me, like a loss does to any fighter. If we both get through tonight, it could happen.

"I can't think of that right now and neither can he, but you can never rule anything out in boxing."

No guts, no glory as been the cry from Pearce over a roller-coaster ride of professional boxing, but there's still no counting the 30-year-old out.

He's lost four times and, if successful tonight, will have come back to claim a title on three occasions after his paid record has been blemished.

A Prizefighter second round stoppage loss to Glenn Foot was the first in 2013, but he was Midlands champion by the time he lost to Eggington in seven that May.

Hunt proved to be his redemption in November, before an off night against Ryan Hardy saw him outpointed over 10 with the British Masters crown on the line.

A three-round TKO defeat to Bradley Skeete was a risk he, perhaps, shouldn't have taken, but all that pales into insignificance if he unseat Unsworth for another accolade.

He's fearless in every sense of the word and has been involved in some entertaining wars. He hasn't ducked anyone before and won't now.

He said: "I am looking forward to this test, I know Unsworth will come to fight and that's exactly what I want. We will put on a real show.

"I've had 13 fights now and I have seen more action in that than most will have at my experience level. There's been setbacks, but that's fine.

"I would rather be in the position I am, than have knocked 13 journeymen over and not be ready to step up. You don't learn anything like that.

"I am in my thirties, there's no point in protecting my record. I want to take on the best and I proved that with Foot, Eggington and Skeete.

"Those three lads are now hovering around British title level. That probably won't happen for me now, but I still want to be all that I can be.

"I would like to get the Midlands title back and, if that means Rob Hunt, so be it. I think it would be a good fight, the first one was close.

"I caught him with a great body shot and that was that, but I think he's improved since then. It's interesting, but I am not looking past Unsworth.

"I can't lose any more ground, so defeat tonight would be a disaster for me. That can't happen and I am confident that it won't."

Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 ringside, are available from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900 and on the door.