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Last night at Borough Hall in Hartlepool, England, local boy and European Champion Michael Hunter faced Canadian tactician Steve Molitor for the vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title. Both fighters came into the contest, billed as “World Class” by Matchroom Promotions, with unbeaten records but there was big home support for Hunter in the packed Borough Hall.
The southpaw Molitor, “The Canadian Kid”, entered the ring to the negative mumblings of the Hartlepool crowd while Hunter came in wearing his trademark camouflage gear and was clearly enjoying the noisy support from his home audience.
Once the bout started, it was cautious first round by both boxers. Hunter looked in control while Molitor complained about the advertising hoarding part way through the round but that was the only notable event in the first frame.
The second round saw their heads came a bit close a couple of times and referee Phil Edwards signaled to them to watch the heads. First half of the round was better for Molitor but he was complaining again during the second half about rabbit punching by Hunter.
Round three saw Sky Sports commentator and former world champion Jim Watt comment that “We’re not seeing the usual smoothness of Steve Molitor”. Ringside reporter Adam Smith replied that “This is because Hunter is such a difficult man to fight”.
Round four sees Hunter continuing to control the pace, forcing Molitor to make the first move, but the visitor proves impressive half way through the round when he lands two or three good punches from both the left and right hands.
Hunter then turns Molitor around and forces him halfway through the ropes. Hunter seems desperate to impress but then Molitor lands another uppercut as Hunter makes mistakes. With 42 seconds to go in the fourth frame, Molitor lands a whistling left hook and Hunter goes down, but he’s back up quickly and paces the canvas as referee Phil Edwards gives the count.
The fifth starts and Hunter starts the round better, but Molitor comes back working the European champ’s body. A couple of big right hand shots hurt Hunter and he goes down again at 1:23 of round five.
Hunter looks at his corner while he is counted on the canvas. He is cut underneath his left eye and he shakes his head at his corner as the referee ends his count. Michael Hunter is counted out and looks stunned as he is taken back to his corner.
After 1 minute and 32 seconds of round five, Steve Molitor wins by TKO and is the new IBF Super Bantamweight Champion.
Steve Molitor, 23-0 (9), said afterwards that “It meant the world” to him and that he’d “Been waiting 17 years for this”.
A dejected Michael Hunter, 26-1-1 (12), gave Molitor respect, “What can I say? He’s a world-class fighter.”
