Mentality key for Dom Hunt as he adapts to training solo

The British Boxing Board of Control has suspended all shows until the end of April due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus, something that has brought about a change in routine for Wakefield fighter Dom Hunt.

The 28-year-old welterweight is undefeated in five professional fights and is coached by Bradford-born Junior Witter – a former WBC super lightweight champion. 

Hunt had hoped to win his first title in 2020, with his family heritage qualifying him to compete for the Irish title.

But the suspension of the sport across the country could mean he will have to wait until next year before getting his shot.

Hunt was set to compete in his sixth pro bout on March 20 before all events were cancelled in the week leading up to the fight.

“We had got to fight week so we thought we were going to be okay,” he said.

“I was on weight, everything was good and I was ready to go. All the tickets had been sold but then everything got shut down.

“It was a tough one to take but that being said there are a lot of people who are worse off because of this.”

Hunt is keeping himself fresh for when the time comes to box again, taking home several bits of equipment from the gym so he is able to train on his own.

“I took a treadmill, some weights and everything like that,” he said.

“I am getting day-to-day training programmes sent through. Everything is set up like a bunker at home.

“The only issue is that I can’t do any sparring. It is the same for every boxer, every boxer is going to be rusty when we all get back to fighting.

“Without sparring for a few weeks you lose that punch resistance, getting hit on the nose and face; your body gets used to it. It becomes second nature.

“You need to get used to getting hit again which is never fun.”

Hunt admits that maintaining the right mentality is key for when it is safe to box again.

“Every single boxer is creature of habit, we are used to routine,” he added.

“The isolation isn’t a problem, we isolate ourselves from normal life anyway but it is the fact we are not training towards anything at the moment.

“The motivation to do your sprints, strength work; it is tough. It could be eight weeks, 16 weeks or even longer.

“No-one has any idea.

“Having that motivation to finish the sprints off or do that final set of pull-ups, it is hard but is has to be done.

“I think you will see as soon as the fights starts up again, you will see the ones who have been messing about the ones who have knuckled down and trained hard.”