Looking forward and not to the past. That is April Hunter.
April in April has a nice ring to it and the popular Tyneside boxer makes her return to action in Newcastle on Saturday when she fights the tough Czech, Ester Konečná.
It is Hunter’s first bout since her maiden defeat in the same Utilita Arena ring and her first competitive punches under new coach, a certain Peter Fury.
Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first, Hunter lost her 100 per cent record back in October to Kirstie Bavington but her focus is only on the future.
The Howdon hurricane is under her third coaching set-up as a professional, following stints with Nik Gittus in Wallsend and Joe McNally and Declan O’Rourke in Liverpool and she can’t wait for her new start under Fury, the trainer of her friend, Savannah Marshall.
“Saturday is about putting into practice the things I’ve done with Peter,” April told punch-lines.
“After my last fight I started training down in Macclesfield with Savannah.
“I had options, including coming back home, and I didn’t even know if Peter would train me or not.
“But he said he would and if a man like Peter says he’s going to put his time into you then it’s too good an opportunity to miss.
“While I’m sort of starting from scratch again, I have so much time on my side.
“I’m only 26 and just look at Natasha Jonas – she’s gone and won a world title at 37!
“It’s going well – we’ve moved up a weight. I think this is the first time we’ve spoken ahead of a fight when I’m not trying to make the weight.
“I feel healthy, I feel great, I think this is the best and calmest I’ve ever been before a fight.
“Considering I’m coming off the back of a loss that might sound a bit mad but I feel good and feel no pressure.
“Perhaps that’s the new team, the new mindset, I don’t know.
“There are no bad feelings with Joe and the team, I still speak to Joe, but something things don’t work out.”
Hunter is coming against an opponent who has a heavy ratio of defeats but has never been stopped, aside from by the explosive fists of Marshall, who defends her WBO world middleweight title on top of the BOXXER bill.
“Ester’s an awkward boxer, who always goes the distance,” said the Phil Jeffries-managed light-middleweight.
“I’m doing six rounds so looking forward to getting in there, planting my feet and getting my shots off.
“There’s no rush, I won’t go looking for the stoppage but, hey, if it comes it will be a good one – I think only Savannah has ever stopped her.
“I’m happy with everything and I’m hoping Saturday is a euphoric one.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig/ BOXXER
