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April Hunter talks about connecting with Bellew, Marshall sparring and McCaskill

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Hunter fights for the fourth time as a professional in Newcastle on Saturday Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

April Hunter with manager and former world champion Tony Bellew.  Photo: Instagram @aprilhunterboxing
April Hunter with manager and former world champion Tony Bellew. Photo: Instagram @aprilhunterboxing

In just 12 fights, Jessica McCaskill holds all four major welterweight belts, and April Hunter looks to follow in her footsteps in the coming years.

Hunter (3-0) is in the unique position of being the first professional boxer to come from Newcastle and appears to have everything at her disposal to achieve that ambition ahead of her fourth professional appearance on the undercard of Lewis Ritson’s IBF final eliminator against Jeremias Nicolas Ponce Eagles Community Arena on Saturday.

The welterweight prospect has secured three straight decision victories since his debut in October 2019 and ended a more than 16-month absence with a victory in Barcelona in April.

Hunter, a former stablemate of Joe Laws, abandoned her North East routes and moved to Liverpool, specifically to the notable Rotunda gym, where she was trained by Joe McNally and Declan O’Rourke.

Since the move, the 26-year-old has added former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew to her team in a management role and believes she is in good hands under “Bomber’s” guidance.

“I obviously train outside the Rotunda,” Hunter said Tuesday during a Zoom media conference call.

“And everyone there is like a little family, so I know that with Tony I’m really well taken care of, he has my best interests at heart.

“As you say, he got us in Barcelona and I’m playing at home again, so he’s doing well.”

In the UK, particularly over the last year, women’s boxing has arguably received the most attention and recognition, highlighted by the Matchroom Act of November 14, 2020, which was spearheaded by Irish great Katie Taylor as well as WBC super featherweight champion Terri Harper , and currently WBC interim super bantamweight champion Rachel Ball.

On Saturday, Hunter fights for the fourth time as a professional in Newcastle.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
On Saturday, Hunter fights for the fourth time as a professional in Newcastle. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

WBO super middleweight world champion Savannah Marshall is another top talent who is on track for a future undisputed clash with three-division world champion Claressa Shields, and Hunter has benefited from sparring with Marshall, which she considers to be invaluable experience.

“Terrible headache!” Hunter joked when asked how she found sparring.

“Savannah is a really good friend of mine. I was going to Peter Fury’s gym on Wednesday night to spar with Savannah on Thursday morning and we’re going to keep that as a regular feature of this camp because for a boxer it’s like the equivalent of Tom Hart in the gym going to spar with Canelo.

Hunter thanks WBO super middleweight champion Savannah Marshall for her sparring assistance.  Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing
Hunter thanks WBO super middleweight champion Savannah Marshall for her sparring assistance. Photo: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing

“I have it at my fingertips and she’s a friend of mine, so I’m going to continue to apply it as much as I can and I think it’s going to be one of the most vital parts of my career that will take us an extra long time.

“You can’t buy it and especially with women’s sparring, I think it’s demanding to get a pool in the UK for sparring, I fight myself.

“So having this car on my doorstep, 40 minutes away, and Sav taking the time to lend a hand me and drive me around is just crucial to my career.”

According to Boxrec.comHunter is ranked 24th in the world welterweight rankings, although some of the names mentioned above the Wallsend fighter have similar experience.

Jessica McCaskill is the undisputed welterweight champion.  Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing
Jessica McCaskill is the undisputed welterweight champion. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing

Leading the way is undisputed champion Jessica McCaskill, who defended her belts with a rematch victory over former long-reigning champion Cecilia Braekhus in March.

“CasKILLA” has won all of her titles within her first 11 fights, and while Hunter will need more experience before facing the likes of McCaskill, she believes a world title shot could be a realistic goal within 10 fights.

In March, McCaskill scored his second victory over Cecilia Braekhus.  Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
In March, McCaskill scored his second victory over Cecilia Braekhus. Photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Hunter also admits she would be open to fighting McCaskill’s stablemate and undefeated welterweight, Summer Lynn who was identified as a potential future opponent by the manager and coach Rick Ramos on social media earlier this week.

“It obviously depends on my coach, it depends on my team, but the way he talks, I would say 10 fights and we will be ready. [for world titles].

“As a warrior, you will fight anyone, right. I’ll leave it to Tony and my coach Joe and I’m sure if it makes sense we’ll get that fight done [against Summer Lynn]”

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Interviews

Daniel Dubois sends a message to Tyson Fury after his retirement

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Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing aged 36 Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Daniel Dubois believes that Tyson Fury will return. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
Daniel Dubois believes that Tyson Fury will return. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions

Daniel Dubois believes that Tyson Fury will return to the ring and claims that a fight between them may happen.

Fury ended hopes of All-British fights against the likes of Dubois and long-time rival Anthony Joshua after retiring last Monday, less than a month after his second successive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

However, “Dynamite” believes that his compatriot will return in a similar mood as when he retired in April 2022, only to return seven months later.

If the “Gypsy King” ends his final retirement, Dubois insists the fight with Joshua must happen, which has opened the door for him to face the winner.

“I think he will definitely come back,” said the 27-year-old talkSPORT.

Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“He’s always done that throughout his career, mind games and all that.

“So I think he will come back. He plays various characters. He will definitely come back.

“Get them in the ring [Joshua and Fury].

“I want to see them fight now.

“I punched Joshua so he had to fight Fury.

“I want to see what’s left between these two.

“And then maybe I’ll fight the winner.”

Dubois will face Parker on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Dubois will face Parker on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The Londoner knocked out “AJ” five rounds in September at Wembley Stadium and on February 22 in Riyad, he will defend the IBF world heavyweight title against Joseph Parker.

Dubois stormed the ring after Usyk’s rematch victory over Fury, calling for a rematch from their August 2023 clash.

The Londoner’s argument for wanting a rematch is based on a controversial low blow in the fifth round of the fight against the Ukrainian, which he believed was a legal shot.

“Usyk, I want to take revenge,” he said.

“Good job tonight.

Dubois attacked Usyk's post-fight interview, calling for a rematch. Photo: TNT Sports
Dubois attacked Usyk’s post-fight interview, calling for a rematch. Photo: TNT Sports

“I want revenge for the last robbery.

“Let’s sort this out. Let’s go.

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Interviews

Eddie Hearn wonders if Tyson Fury will return

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Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing aged 36 Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will change his decision to retire Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will change his decision to retire Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing/Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will retire after a legacy-defining clash with Anthony Joshua.

Fury stunned the boxing world on Monday when he announced his retirement from the sport, leaving behind a megafight with Joshua.

The “Gypsy King” announced his shocking decision less than a month after suffering, among other things, second defeat in a row against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad, but Joshua’s promoter, Hearn, is convinced that the fighter from Morecambe will return to the ring to fight the long-awaited showdown with “AJ”, who is returning after a fifth-round defeat to Daniel Dubois.

“In my opinion, I think he will come back,” the 45-year-old said talkSPORT.

“But I don’t know him well enough to judge that.

Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Tyson Fury announced that he is retiring from boxing at the age of 36. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“He’s coming back after two defeats, and these defeats hurt the boys.

“AJ was devastated by the defeat to Dubois and I’m sure Fury was too [with his defeats to Usyk]both are winners.

“I don’t know if Fury can leave one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport on the table.

“I know he’s a competitor. I know he will want to give the British fight fans what they want and I hope we see more of him.

“But if we don’t, God bless the speed and all the best.”

Fury's retirement will be a major blow to Joshua. Photo: Mark Robinson/Michelle Farsi/Matchroom Boxing
Fury’s retirement will be a major blow to Joshua. Photo: Mark Robinson/Michelle Farsi/Matchroom Boxing

Fury hung up his gloves after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return eight months later for a third fight with Derek Chisora, whom he defeated comfortably at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Hearn said Joshua will now look to secure a clash with the winner of the February 22 fight between his former rivals Dubois and Joseph Parker, who will fight in Riyad for the IBF heavyweight world title.

If Fury returns to fight AJ, the Matchroom boss insists the loser would have nowhere to go.

“They would both be devastated by defeat,” he added.

“It’s one thing to lose the world heavyweight title, but at the same time losing in a fight of this magnitude is the biggest bragging rights.

“At this stage of their career, the last word is goodbye.

“Whoever loses this fight is finished and whoever wins it moves on and that’s what you fight for.

“You’re not just fighting for a legacy, you’re fighting to save your career.

“It’s a huge fight, but it’s not on the table right now.”

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Interviews

Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall

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Simpson proved too much for Woodall Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Callum Simpson defeated Steed Woodall in the second round in Sheffield Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Callum Simpson defeated Steed Woodall in the second round in Sheffield Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles after a second-round victory over Steer Woodall on Saturday at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield.

Simpson (16-0, 11 KO) proved too good for Zak Chelli in his last competition and went on to sweep wide and claim the British and Commonwealth titles last August. Woodall (19-3-1, 12 KO) picked up his best career win, stopping Lerrone Richards in six rounds in an upset in Bolton last June.

This attack ended quickly in the second round, with a right uppercut that left Woodall on wobbly legs, and then another attack punctuated by another right uppercut, leaving “The Stallion” on the deck.

Despite beating the count, referee Mark Bates waved off the fight shortly afterwards.

Simpson dedicated his victory his dead sisterwho died tragically in August in a road accident.

Simpson proved too much for Woodall. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Simpson proved too much for Woodall. Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

“It’s bittersweet,” the 28-year-old said Heavenly sports after the fight.

“I won these titles in front of all my fans, but there’s one person that I think everyone knows who I wish was here, but I know she’s looking down on me and I make her proud.”

Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Photo: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Dubois is tied with Camara

On the card below, Caroline Dubois (10-0-1, 5 KO) made her first defense of her WBC lightweight title against Canadian Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 KO), but the fight ended in a technical draw.

The fight was stopped due to a cut to Camara’s left eye from the head collision, and she also went down in the first round.

Dubois had a technical draw with Camara Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Dubois had a technical draw with Camara Photo Credit: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Forrest stops Miller

Cruiserweight prospect Scott Forrest needed just two rounds to defeat Deevorn Miller.

Miller (8-3, 6 KO) lost once in the first and second rounds, while Forrest (7-0, 4 KO) won outright.

Undercard remaining

In the featherlight heavyweight division, where Billy Deniz defeated Mickey Ellison (15-8, 5 KO) by one point.

Deniz (13-0, 5 KO) won with a score of 77-76.

In the six-round middleweight division, Sam Hickey (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Lewis Howells (3-2) three times en route to a first-round victory, and Mauro Silva (7-0, 3 KO) scored a 59-56 victory against Emmanuel Zion (6-3, 3 KOs).

Ellis Price (2-0, 1 KO) stopped Liam Fitzmaurice (0-1) twice en route to a first-round lightweight victory.

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