http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/B ... 3873558.jp
Honest pro and a top lad. Always gave it everything and not many can say they won British, European and Commonwalth belts. The IBF belt was a bridge too far but it was some journey. I was at all but one of his fights and he always fought with his heart on his sleeve. I'll miss him.
Michael Hunter retires
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DG.
- Heavyweight
Re: Michael Hunter retires
His last fight showed somethijg was missing.TheGoods wrote:http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/B ... 3873558.jp
Honest pro and a top lad. Always gave it everything and not many can say they won British, European and Commonwalth belts. The IBF belt was a bridge too far but it was some journey. I was at all but one of his fights and he always fought with his heart on his sleeve. I'll miss him.
Good luck - I hope he can stick to it!
Hartlepool's former undefeated British, Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight champion Michael Hunter has called it a day aged 29.
High-energy Hunter was thumped in five rounds by Canadian southpaw star Steve Molitor in a crack at the IBF title in November 2006 in Hartlepool. He came back with two low-key wins but looked a shadow of his crowdpleasing, talented, fiery self and this decision comes as no real surprise.
A former double ABA champion, Hunter went unbeaten in his first 27 fights and won the British title with a thrilling seven-round stoppage of Coventry's Mark Payne at a (typically) packed Borough Hall in Hartlepool in April 2004.
"It was a classic British title fight and an amazing performance," said Hunter's trainer Neil Fannan.
And it would get better. Hunter cleaned up a blemish on his record - a controversial six-round draw with Marc Callaghan - by stopping the brave Barking man in 10 rounds in his first defence and took out good Pontefract southpaw Sean Hughes in six. He then climbed off the canvas twice to grind out a fantastic majority decision over Newark's Esham Pickering to secure a Lonsdale Belt for life (and win Pickering's European and Commonwealth belts).
But the scourge of Hartlepool bouncers, a giant of a super-bantamweight, looked increasingly drawn at the weight and the slick, sharp-hitting Molitor proved much too good in that major world title showdown of unbeaten fighters. Hunter vowed to bounce back - up at featherweight - but it was obvious he had lost some of his 'will'.
"I'm game as pie, mate," he used to crack.
Michael bows out with just the Molitor loss in 30 fights. He was the first Hartlepool man to hold a British title since John Feeney back in 1985.
High-energy Hunter was thumped in five rounds by Canadian southpaw star Steve Molitor in a crack at the IBF title in November 2006 in Hartlepool. He came back with two low-key wins but looked a shadow of his crowdpleasing, talented, fiery self and this decision comes as no real surprise.
A former double ABA champion, Hunter went unbeaten in his first 27 fights and won the British title with a thrilling seven-round stoppage of Coventry's Mark Payne at a (typically) packed Borough Hall in Hartlepool in April 2004.
"It was a classic British title fight and an amazing performance," said Hunter's trainer Neil Fannan.
And it would get better. Hunter cleaned up a blemish on his record - a controversial six-round draw with Marc Callaghan - by stopping the brave Barking man in 10 rounds in his first defence and took out good Pontefract southpaw Sean Hughes in six. He then climbed off the canvas twice to grind out a fantastic majority decision over Newark's Esham Pickering to secure a Lonsdale Belt for life (and win Pickering's European and Commonwealth belts).
But the scourge of Hartlepool bouncers, a giant of a super-bantamweight, looked increasingly drawn at the weight and the slick, sharp-hitting Molitor proved much too good in that major world title showdown of unbeaten fighters. Hunter vowed to bounce back - up at featherweight - but it was obvious he had lost some of his 'will'.
"I'm game as pie, mate," he used to crack.
Michael bows out with just the Molitor loss in 30 fights. He was the first Hartlepool man to hold a British title since John Feeney back in 1985.
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Arnie
- Heavyweight
Yes, there was definitely something missing in his last performance. I think he's doing the right thing. I really hope he manages to sort himself out a decent life after boxing as he lived and breathed it.
He was my favourite fighter when he was on the way up and I felt part of a privileged club to witness the whirling dervish before he was regularly showcased on TV.
Michael has given me some of my most memorable boxing nights - the atmosphere for the Pickering fight was unreal.
Good luck, Michael Hunter.
And the doormen had better watch out as he'll no doubt begin to live up to his old nickname 'The Scourge of Hartlepool Bouncers'
He was my favourite fighter when he was on the way up and I felt part of a privileged club to witness the whirling dervish before he was regularly showcased on TV.
Michael has given me some of my most memorable boxing nights - the atmosphere for the Pickering fight was unreal.
Good luck, Michael Hunter.
And the doormen had better watch out as he'll no doubt begin to live up to his old nickname 'The Scourge of Hartlepool Bouncers'
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Spud
- Heavyweight
Bloody hell mate, its only Hartlepool! Its not that grim up north you know. We're not still stuck down the mines and planning marches to London!Spud wrote:Wish Michael Hunter all the very best.
I really hope he gets a decent life for himself and earns enough dough to pay the bills - its hard work up in that neck of the woods.
But seriously, all the best to Mickey Hunter, he provided British boxing with some of the best nights of the last few years. Always exciting to watch with a fantastic never say die attitude in the ring, he'll be missed.
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oliverfennell
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 5564
- Joined: 15 Feb 2007, 06:37
Madison Square Garden, the Thomas and Mack Centre, ..hell...the MGM Grand itself.............until you've watched Michael Hunter box at the Hartlepool Borough Hall you haven't been to a boxing match.
This guy is for me a legend of the British boxing ring. Well done Michael on your outstanding career, thanks for the fights and the nights - Good luck
This guy is for me a legend of the British boxing ring. Well done Michael on your outstanding career, thanks for the fights and the nights - Good luck
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Spud
- Heavyweight
Mario wrote:Bloody hell mate, its only Hartlepool! Its not that grim up north you know. We're not still stuck down the mines and planning marches to London!Spud wrote:Wish Michael Hunter all the very best.
I really hope he gets a decent life for himself and earns enough dough to pay the bills - its hard work up in that neck of the woods.
But seriously, all the best to Mickey Hunter, he provided British boxing with some of the best nights of the last few years. Always exciting to watch with a fantastic never say die attitude in the ring, he'll be missed.
I would argue to the contrary mate!!!
I live in Northallerton but have to work throughout Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, Middlesbrough and sometimes Hartlepool - some sights have made me wince!!!
But the thread is about Michael bloody good lad - and his manager and promoter Dave Garside is a top man.
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DavidPayne
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 6248
- Joined: 11 Mar 2004, 11:00
Choi is very under-rated in my eyes, i see him winnig vs Mathews. Choi was Hunters sparring partner on some occassions, he says Choi isa great fighter.Terry D wrote:Good luck to the guy. Saw him supporting Choi a few times and he was always well into the fights. Best of out of it if his heart is no longer in it.
Seems to have trouble getting fights Choi tho
im not sure about the never say die bit, im sure hunter bottled it against molitar, im sure he could have got up, real warriors get up for their medicine !!Mario wrote:Bloody hell mate, its only Hartlepool! Its not that grim up north you know. We're not still stuck down the mines and planning marches to London!Spud wrote:Wish Michael Hunter all the very best.
I really hope he gets a decent life for himself and earns enough dough to pay the bills - its hard work up in that neck of the woods.
But seriously, all the best to Mickey Hunter, he provided British boxing with some of the best nights of the last few years. Always exciting to watch with a fantastic never say die attitude in the ring, he'll be missed.
and im not knocking MH, its just i think that the beating that molitar dished out, proved to hunter that he could not cut the mustard at the real top level. and it was from that moment that the career was ended, not after his half hearted effort the other month.
but...
im sure that some of michaels probs are outside the ring, im not sure what skills he has outside boxing, but i think that, if hunter clears his head of his problems, then he could and probably will make a comeback within 18 months !!! ........ and potentially have a say at decent domestic level.
im sure that some of michaels probs are outside the ring, im not sure what skills he has outside boxing, but i think that, if hunter clears his head of his problems, then he could and probably will make a comeback within 18 months !!! ........ and potentially have a say at decent domestic level.[/quote]
"a potential say at domestic level....in 18 months"
that's a gracious way to talk about someone who has
a) just retired!!
and,
b) already OWNS the British title OUTRIGHT and had to move on UP from that level in order to pursue his ambitions.
As for suggesting Mick Hunter is a bottler I just don't know what to say I really don't.
Hunter lost to the better man, he got in with a boxer, one of the best pure boxers around and he tried to box him. Hunter has skill but his main strengths have always been his workrate and never say die heart.
I personally believe that Molitor is no Esham Pickering, even if Hunter had gone for broke and just fought I believe Molitor would've had what it took to get the job done.
I think the fact Michael actually selected to abandon the "fight mentality" and instead opted to take on one of the world's best at his own game showed massive balls personally.
Even on the way up to World level Michael never had things all his own way before encountering Molitor. As someone who has attended many of his fights I know that some of those, especially British title fights had to be won hard. A bottler would've folded LONG before arriving in a ring with Molitor.
And whilst all our opinions on this forum are valid, if you'll excuse DG's adulation of The Hitter for just one second........I would suggest that with double ABA honours, 3 or 4 time British and 3 succesful defences of the European and however many of the Commonwealth, Hunter knows better that your average internet poster when he's been beaten.
I know where you're coming from and I would've loved to see him get up and win as well but having seen Michael give everything on numerous occasions I feel someone ought to chuck out the window right now any single notion that he's ever been a bottler.
"a potential say at domestic level....in 18 months"
that's a gracious way to talk about someone who has
a) just retired!!
and,b) already OWNS the British title OUTRIGHT and had to move on UP from that level in order to pursue his ambitions.
As for suggesting Mick Hunter is a bottler I just don't know what to say I really don't.
Hunter lost to the better man, he got in with a boxer, one of the best pure boxers around and he tried to box him. Hunter has skill but his main strengths have always been his workrate and never say die heart.
I personally believe that Molitor is no Esham Pickering, even if Hunter had gone for broke and just fought I believe Molitor would've had what it took to get the job done.
I think the fact Michael actually selected to abandon the "fight mentality" and instead opted to take on one of the world's best at his own game showed massive balls personally.
Even on the way up to World level Michael never had things all his own way before encountering Molitor. As someone who has attended many of his fights I know that some of those, especially British title fights had to be won hard. A bottler would've folded LONG before arriving in a ring with Molitor.
And whilst all our opinions on this forum are valid, if you'll excuse DG's adulation of The Hitter for just one second........I would suggest that with double ABA honours, 3 or 4 time British and 3 succesful defences of the European and however many of the Commonwealth, Hunter knows better that your average internet poster when he's been beaten.
I know where you're coming from and I would've loved to see him get up and win as well but having seen Michael give everything on numerous occasions I feel someone ought to chuck out the window right now any single notion that he's ever been a bottler.
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johnty1888
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 417
- Joined: 10 Oct 2003, 14:27
even your username suggests a bias....all im saying is that i think hunter 'opted' to stay on his knee against molitar !!
several pros have made the same comment to me..
look at this and tell me im wrong, the count is at 7 and hunter shakes his head, therefore he is in control of his faculties, but he does not want to get up, its not that he cant get up, he did not even try. all im saying is that this is not a 'never say die' attitude.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GktWryAIXc8
several pros have made the same comment to me..
look at this and tell me im wrong, the count is at 7 and hunter shakes his head, therefore he is in control of his faculties, but he does not want to get up, its not that he cant get up, he did not even try. all im saying is that this is not a 'never say die' attitude.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GktWryAIXc8
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Captain Hook
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 4730
- Joined: 07 May 2007, 09:40
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Eraserhead
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 554
- Joined: 14 Dec 2007, 18:46
Hey, at least Hunter boxed for the IBF title. In a day and age, when many British boxers would settle for a WBU, WBF, IBO - even a WBO belt - as their 'world title' you've got to give credit to Hunter for chasing the world's best in order to prove himself. Yeah, he was outclassed, but at least he found his level against the best. Many wouldn't have even risked finding out.