Frank Maloney Boxing: Booth Becomes The Hunter

Jason Booth will defend his British super bantamweight title against bitter rival Michael Hunter at Sunderland’s Seaham Centre on Friday, October 16.

The bill will also feature Olympic bronze medallists Tony Jeffries (3-0) and Irishman Darren Sutherland (4-0) who face selected opponents in super middleweight six rounders.

Local hero Jeffries and Sutherland could meet one day in the ring and the show will be a great opportunity to measure their progress.

The show topper between Booth (33-5) and former European champion and former IBF world title challenger Hunter (29-1-1) looks a candidate for domestic fight of the year.

Nottingham’s Booth has been promised a European title crack if he wins the fight that will be televised live on Sky Sports.

His manager and FTM matchmaker Jimmy Gill said: “It would have been nice to have the fight in Nottingham, but it won’t make any difference. Jason is used to being on the road.

“I am very confident he will win this mandatory. Hunter has only had three fights in the last three years, while Jason has been on the boil and has been active.”

Southpaw Hunter, 31, previously held this title and is best known for climbing off the canvas twice to outpoint Esham Pickering in October, 2005.

His world title chance came in November, 2006, but he was stopped in five punishing rounds by quality Canadian Steve Molitor.

The Hartlepool warrior who will have a big following has recovered well with three points wins, but will start as an underdog against Booth.

Booth, 31, will be having his 17th major title contest and making the second defence of the championship he won against Mark Moran in April.

Tickets for the show priced £90 and £35 are available from www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508.