Boxing took a very heavy hit in 2020, if you forgive the pun.
But for the women’s fight game, there was a massive move forward, especially in this country where Terri Harper and Natasha Jonas produced an epic all-British showdown, with ‘Belter’ retaining her WBC and IBO belts (just!) while Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron became world champions.
Circumstances, sadly, meant that great prospect April Hunter never got to fight at all last year but hopes 2021 will be the year her career takes off.
The 25-year-old has swapped life next to one famous northern river to another in her search for success.
A proud Tynesider, April is now on Merseyside where she is under the management of a certain Tony Bellew and being coached by two other Liverpool fight figures, Joe McNally and Declan O’Rourke, at the renowned Rotunda club.
“I’ve moved my full life down here,” Hunter told punch-lines. “I couldn’t be in a better place or with better people.”
It was a big call from the Howdon Hurricane, who had won both her professional bouts under coach Nik Gittus and manager Phil Jeffries.
“I went out to Lanzarote to train at a gym there for a couple of weeks,” she explained. “It was a real eye-opener for me and made me realise I needed to train harder.
“I sat down with Nik at the start of the first lockdown and it was difficult for him because he has a daughter in the high-risk category.
“I needed a full-time trainer and Nik was unable to give me the time I really needed.
“A friend of a relative recommended Joseph, the wheels were set in motion and I came down here to train for a week.
“It was unbelievable. It’s so professional, every single detail is important, absolutely no stone is left unturned. I just now want to get out and fight.
“Me and Nik parted on good terms and I wish him and everyone at Wallsend Boxing Academy well.
“The same goes for Jaffa. I can’t thank him enough either. Joseph is great pals with Tony Bellew and we spoke and agreed it made sense to keep everything under the same roof.”
Given ‘The Bomber’ is closely connected to Matchroom supremo, Eddie Hearn, hopefully that could open the door for the talented Geordie on the big stage.
“I’ve been working really hard in the gym,” said April. “I just want to get out and fight.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
