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HUNTER SHINES
Story by John DiSanto |
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Lost in the shuffle of Sergey Kovalev's dominant win over legend Bernard Hopkins Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, was an impressive showing by West Philly's Eric "Outlaw" Hunter, in a fight that easily was the best of the eight undercard bouts. Fighting for the first time under the Golden Boy promotional banner, Hunter looked sharp in his sixth round stoppage of Daniel Ramirez of Los Angeles, 11-2, 5 KOs. Although he started slowly after his 6-month layoff, Hunter still banked the early rounds and finally hit his stride after a low blow by Ramirez in round four put Hunter in the mood to fight. The foul came at a point of the fight when Ramirez had begun to land effectively on Hunter, and was in the process of winning his first round. When the low blow came, it landed hard and delayed the bout for a few minutes while Hunter walked around the ring, grimaced, and shook his head. Any fan of Hunter must have been wondering how he would react to the incident. In the past, such an occurrence might have set off his famous hot head, and lead him back to the quicksand that has kept his career movement at a deadly-slow pace.
However, it was at this moment that Hunter appeared to take a step - and his career - in a new direction. After being fouled, Hunter managed to focus his anger instead of letting his emotions take over, and to his credit did not self-destruct. There was no acting out or retaliation. None. When the action resumed, Hunter merely shifted into high gear and began the process of taking Ramirez out. He was a cool-headed killer, a new and mature Outlaw, who got on with the business of successfully moving into this new chapter of his boxing career. Beginning in round five, Hunter's punches were sharper and harder than in the previous four rounds. Before long, it became clear that it was only a matter of time before Hunter claimed his latest victory.
In round six, Hunter pounded Ramirez with vicious punches - a left hook, left uppercut, and straight right hand softened the Californian. Then another right - slightly hooked - put Ramirez on the canvas. He climbed to his feet, but Hunter jumped back in and ripped away until referee Sparkle Lee stepped in and stopped the fight. The time was 1:23 of round six. "I boxed smart," Hunter said. "I used my head and I looked good." With the victory, Hunter improved to 19-3, 10 KOs. Add this performance to his March win of the USBA featherweight title, and you're looking at perhaps the best year of Hunter's career thus far. With Golden Boy positioned to move his into big fights, 2015 may turn out to finally be his year. "Golden Boy believed in me," Hunter said. "I just feel I'm at a whole 'nother level now. It felt great, the best feeling in the world. It's where I belong though, right where I need to be." If he can stay busy and this focused, Eric Hunter might soon get an opportunity to show us just how good he really is. And that's exactly what we've all been waiting for. |
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