ROB Hunt's first taste in the Prizefighter ring proved a tough affair at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on Saturday, but he came away with several positives.
A clash of heads left Hunt with a bad cut above his right eyebrow and the ringside doctor stopped any further involvement for the 27-year-old, whose injury required seven stitches.
It was a dream date for Hunt as he chased his biggest pay cheque, with £32,000 going to eventual winner, Glenn Foot from Sunderland.
Hunt and Thompson were the more experienced fighters on the sell-out Prizefighter bill, one that included several unbeaten welterweights.
Under the watchful eye of the Sky TV cameras, Hunt was first on the card, defending his record of one defeat in 19, while Thompson had 24 wins out of 26 fights.
And it was Thompson who took the scrap to his Staffordshire opponent, although Hunt edged the opening round.
Hunt took the pressure in the second and came out for the final round with the fight in the balance, determined to make a name for himself, but the clash of heads after just 29 seconds ended his hopes.
Despite his obvious disappointment, Hunt said: “I can take a lot of positives from the fight. We’ve had a lot of calls from promoters who want to work with me, and sponsors.
“Looking back, I think I gave him too much respect at the start.”
