Booth sends Hunter into retirement
Jason Booth sent Michael Hunter into retirement with a clinical display which made the Hartlepool man quit on his stool after five rounds in a challenge for Booth's British super-bantamweight title at Seaburn Leisure Centre.
The pair might both be 31 years old but they are at opposite ends of their careers. Booth, after another completely dominant performance, will look towards the European stage once again (he has failed three times in challenges for the EBU title at flyweight) whereas former British, Commonwealth and European super-bantam champion Hunter has little option other than to look for a life outside the ropes.
Hunter has lost only twice in his career, quitting against classy Steve Molitor in a challenge for the vacant IBF title in 2006 and then again tonight. He has never been the same since the Molitor fight, really struggling against journeyman Youssef Al Hamidi in early '08, and the challenge to Booth was only his fourth fight in three years, partly due to suffering personal problems including coping with the death of his mother.
Just as with Molitor, but for entirely different reasons, Hunter found himself out of his depth and quit. At the end of the fourth round, he slumped, dispirited on his stool and quietly announced, "I'm f**ked." Trainer Neil Fannan gave him another round to defy time and skill and although Hunter tried, he just doesn't have it anymore. He returned to his corner, said "I want out of it" and that was that.
Hunter's only chance of success was to roll back the years and set a relentless pace but those days are long gone. He had some success in the opener and was trying to rough up the Nottingham stylist. It was never going to be enough.
By the second, Booth's superior boxing skills were apparent. He slipped Hunter's attacks with ease and got through with an eye-catching left hook.
Hunter started the third with a bit more vigour but by the end of the session, he looked dispirited, appearing to accept defeat this early. Booth's accuracy was impressive, as was his variety; he worked up and down Hunter's taller frame, hurting him with a right hook to the body and another clean left hook to the chin.
By the fourth, Hunter wasn't even punching very much and Booth took the opportunity to do as he wished, dominating the former holder of this belt. Hunter was being broken down, a right to the face followed by a wicked left to the body painfully confirming the champion's superiority. He survived another round but he was really done by the end of the fourth.
Booth continued to do as he please in the fifth and final session before Hunter got his wish and had the contest halted.
Was it the right decision to quit? Booth certainly thought so. "I was going to inflict more...I took my time on him."
European super-bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe was ringside to see his pal retain the British title. Both share a promoter in Frank Maloney but are unlikely to share a ring. (Maloney, by the way, looked well after suffering a heart attack witnessing the injustice of John McDermott's points defeat to Tyson Fury followed by finding the tragic Darren Sutherland.) Munroe defends his title at home in Nottingham against Simone Maludrottu in November before hopefully going on to challenge for a version of the world title. Booth might very well fill his boots on the European stage.
Seaburn is very close to Sunderland and Mackem boxing royalty in the form of former European feather champ Billy Hardy was ringside. He compared Booth to "a fine red wine". Not the most appropriate simile to describe a former alcoholic yet perfect in one sense. Booth is better than he's ever been and seems to be improving with age.
