Rob Hunt meets his 'tailor made' challenger

The two step through the ropes as champion Hunt puts the belt up-for-grabs over 10 rounds at the Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock,

They went nose-to-nose for yesterday's weigh in at Wednesbury Boxing Academy, with Unsworth an unexpected contender to the crown.

It will surely has to be the last shot for the 34-year-old from Sleaford in Lincolnshire, a former Midlands boss and English title challenger at lightweight.

And Hunt is determined to send him packing, with the 6ft-plus operator looking to play to his strengths which paid off against Sullivan Mason.

The 29-year-old boxed beautifully to outpoint Nuneaton's Mason by three rounds at Walsall Town Hall in April and believes he's coming of age.

He said: "This could be my peak, I've matured and I'll do what works for me. I performed well last time, I was chuffed with my performance.

"I'll stick to what I know, which is to come up with a game-plan and get myself as fit as possible. I know no fight is easy and I've trained hard.

"He's a warrior, he's tough enough to take a lot of punishment and he's short and stocky, which leaves me punching down again whereas Mason was about my height.

"But I've got the height and reach advantage and, I believe, the hand speed. I won't have to look hard for him and I want to keep him at range.

"People think I have no power but I dropped Mason, who has never been down, so I can hurt people. On paper, Unsworth is built for me."

One vociferous critic of the contest is Stourbridge's Steven Pearce, the ex-holder of the title who has stopped both Hunt and Unsworth.

For Unsworth to get an opportunity after he retired him after six rounds on the same bill as Hunt's title win has really irked 'the Fierce One.'

But Hunt insists he doesn't choose his opponents, with Pearce ordered to be the next rival for the victor after being made mandatory challenger.

Hunt said: "I'll fight him, I've never told anybody that I wouldn't. He's beaten me, true, but I was in a negative mindset then and paid the price.

"The only thing I ask my manager, Errol Johnson, is who I've got next and when. I stick to my job and let him do his. I've got Unsworth in my sights now.

"Let other people claim what they want, but I wouldn't back down from Steven Pearce."

A debutant finds himself in the unusual position of chief support. Double national amateur champion Zach Parker, from Swadlincote in Derbyshire, turns over at middleweight against Lewis van Poetsch.

Dudley's Ryan Aston has also been added to the card, just a month after a controversial points defeat to Jason Welborn for the Midlands light middleweight title.

A raging 'Tank' wants to make a statement when he takes on Stourbridge's Kevin McCauley, himself a former area champion, in a four-round affair.

Tipton's Lee Glover also appears, warming himself back up after missing out on a shot at the English featherweight title for failing to make the weight.

It could be deja vu for the 'Tipton Slasher' when he battles old rival Andy Harris, who he retired in six for the British Masters super feather title last year.

Kellie Maloney's fighter Tony Jones, from Telford, steps through the ropes in his first pro fight on West Midlands soil for four rounds with Dean Evans.

Former Prizefighter participant Jamie Spence, from Northampton, takes on evergreen veteran Matt Seawright for a third time over six, twos.

Brummie featherweight Sean Davis squares up to Croatian visitor Antonio Horvatic, while Gloucester's Akeem Ennis-Brown debuts against the experienced Ibrar Riyaz.

Tickets are still available and will be on the door, priced at £30 and £60 ringside. For more information, call 01543 504 065.