April Hunter is back and her return is on the big stage.
The all-action Geordie fighter will be in action on Friday, April 23 in Barcelona, where she will take on France’s Elsa Hemat over four rounds.
It is an exciting development for the unbeaten 25-year-old who has yet to box since swapping Tyneside for Merseyside where she is managed by former world champion Tony Bellew and trained by Joe McNally and Declan O’Rourke at the famous Rotunda club.
But her wait is over and she will be part of the big Matchroom event at the Palau Olímpic Vall d’Hebron which is headlined by a European championship double header and televised live by DAZN.
Hunter, who has won both of her professional bouts, will be up against another relatively new pro in Hemat, who has won one of her four contests with one of her three defeats coming on points last month in a challenge for the French light-welterweight title.
“I just can’t wait to get in there and get the ball rolling,” Hunter told punch-lines.
“Elsa has only had four fights but she’s just done an eight-rounder for a title so she’s not a bad opponent.
“She’s going to come for me so that’s good for me.
“She’s not been stopped so if I can be the first to do it that’ll be mint.
“I asked for six rounds but the best Tony could get was four, but I’m really excited.
“Elsa has just boxed at super-lightweight and this is going to be at welter so I should be that little bit bigger and I’ve got to use that to my advantage.”
While Hemat goes into this England v France showdown very much battle-hardened due to her title clash with Anissa Benyoub, for Hunter this will be her first contest for 17 months since she beat Monika Antonik in Houghton.
But don’t imagine for one minute that the Howdon Hurricane is in any way under-prepared.
Having previously sparred with WBO world middleweight champion, Savannah Marshall, she has most recently trained with Yorkshire’s world champ, Terri ‘Belter’ Harper.
“I did a good eight rounds with Terri and I’ve taken a lot of confidence from that,” said April.
“I couldn’t be going into this with a better spar.”
Hunter v Hemat is part of a major show with two European title matches at the top of the bill.
Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell challenges Andoni Gago for the Spaniard’s featherweight belt while local favourite Sandor Martin puts his light-welterweight crown on the line against Kay Prosper.
“I must thank Tony and Eddie for putting me on the bill and I can’t wait to take into the ring what I’ve been working on with Joe and Declan,” added April.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
