TWENTY years ago to the day, Michael Hunter scored the standout victory of his career, overcoming Esham Pickering to get his hands on the European and Commonwealth super-bantamweight titles. After two decades, both Hunter and Pickering have shared their memories of that famous scrap.
On home soil in Hartlepool, previously unbeaten British champion Michael Hunter, who retired with a 30-2-1 (13 KOs) slate, was backed by his boisterous following but stepped through the ropes as the underdog against highly rated European champion Esham Pickering, who boxed on to 34-11 (14 KOs).
The slick, technically superior Pickering boasted a record of 28-3 at the time and seemed poised for a shot at then IBF world champion Israel Vazquez, if able to extend his win streak to nine consecutive contests with triumph over Hunter.
As many suspected might be the case, Pickering appeared to be too sharp. The Newark-based operator required less than two minutes to floor the home fighter with a peach of a left hook but opted to retain his composure, rather than pursue the early stoppage and risk getting caught.
Nevertheless, just minutes later, Hunter hit the deck after feeling the full effect of another Pickering left-hook in round two – outgunned, outclassed but, crucially, not out cold.
Speaking with Boxing News, Hunter revealed that he and his team had actually pre-empted that he would hit the canvas. However, despite believing he had been knocked out, the early hardship in the fight actually spurred him on.
“I remember waking up on the floor not once but twice, but I trained like no man to beat him. He was the king, and I wanted to be number one. He was the man in Europe, no one could touch him, but I wanted to be great.
“His power was very good, very hard, every shot that he hit me with hurt me. In the first round, he hit me with a left hook, and it takes a good man to get up from that [punch]. I woke up on the floor. I must have been knocked out.
“We’d discussed it in the gym [beforehand] and admitted that he was going to drop me sooner or later during the fight, but we didn’t think it would be in the first round.
“I got up, but then the second knockdown [in round two] hurt me even more. I skidded across the ring. He was so powerful it was unbelievable. After dealing with that, I had it in my head to carry on, no matter what he gave me, to keep going and going.”
From this point onwards, Hunter’s intent was clear, and a gruelling war was afoot. In front of his hometown faithful, Hunter was always going to be tough to out-battle.
Hunter refused to take a backwards step and applied unrelenting pressure in an attempt to pin the fleet-footed European champion against the ropes.
Roared on by a captivated crowd, Hunter began to take rounds through guts and output and down the stretch, it was he who had more in the tank, riding the adrenaline and sensing that he could get his nose in front.
The judges ruled a majority decision to award Hunter with not only the European and Commonwealth titles, but one of the most inspiring in-fight comebacks in British boxing history – the Borough Hall crowd erupted.
Recalling that night, Pickering maintained the belief that he did enough to get the victory, but held no grudge; instead, believing that he should have pounced on his opponent early on, rather than allowing the fight to go the distance.
“I have no excuses. I did not show my best on the night, as I was going through a tough time in my life; I didn’t dig deep or show my full potential. Hunter showed guts and heart in front of his home crowd and got the win due to his determination and courage.
“I did feel as though I just won the fight, but it was definitely close. This was meant to be in my life, and I have accepted this. Although, I do reflect and think what could have happened if I was at my best and won. Still, I am proud to have been involved in such a good fight.
“I didn’t have a game plan, I just reacted – or didn’t react! The knockdowns should have been a signal for me, and I didn’t react to them hard enough.”
“If I would have dug deep, I know that I would have got him out of there.
“I am glad Hunter’s had a good career off the back of it, it was the best day of his life and that feels great, [to provide someone with such a moment].”
Despite much flirting with the idea of a rematch, Hunter and Pickering would never meet again in the ring. Instead, it was Hunter who got the world title shot and, of course, brought the opponent to the Lion’s Den of Borough Hall.
Yet, when the undefeated Steve Molitor ventured to Hartlepool, following Vazquez’s title vacation, he was able to silence the crowd and claim the vacant IBF title with a fifth-round stoppage win.
These days, both Hunter and Pickering remain involved in the sport, each coaching at local gyms, with Pickering also cornering Northampton featherweight Doina Costin, 3-1 (0 KOs) and managing Hull super-lightweight Charan Dhesi, 1-0 (1 KO).
Hunter and Pickering have become good friends in the years since their memorable match-up, phoning each other regularly and often agreeing to a rematch behind closed doors or in car parks.
Still, now 47-year-old Hunter declared that he would love some form of rematch, in order to relive his most memorable night and one of the greatest British title affairs of all time.
