Hilt granted belt wish Comeback on target for title bid
Toowoomba’s Jamie Hilt has had his wish granted with an Australasian title opportunity awaiting him in July.
Hilt called time on his successful pro career last June, but the former Queensland welterweight champion has longed to avenge his Australian welterweight championship loss in 2017.
On July 13 at Rumours International Hilt gets the chance to add the finishing touches to his 14-fight career record when he faces unbeaten Ash Huston for the Australasian super lightweight championship.
Huston — from the powerful Chris McCullen camp — is unbeaten in three pro fights with his three victories coming by way of round-one knockouts.
Hilt has returned to Craig Monagle’s Trading Blows Gym in preparation for his bold comeback now finalised by the fighter’s manager Brendon Smith.
“Jamie and Gearoid Clancy were granted an Australasian title match but Clancy withdrew,” Smith said.
“Jamie will now fight Ash Huston who is unbeaten in three pro bouts — all by roundone knockouts.
“Huston is very strong and a good finisher.
“He is trained by Chris McCullen who has been Anthony Mundine’s trainer for the last couple of years.
“Jamie has the edge on Huston in professional experience but Ash has a good amateur career behind him and they are probably on a par career-wise.
“This will be the first time Chris has had a fighter on one of our shows so that tells me they are coming to win.”
The Hilt-Huston match is one of two Australasian title fights on the TGW & Smithy Bring The Big Fights 23 card.
Toowoomba’s Herman EnePurcell and Will Nasio will meet in a highly anticipated rematch — this time for the Australasian heavyweight belt.
The pair met in a “bell ringer” last November when Nasio caught Ene-Purcell with a knock-out blow in round four after trailing his friend and rival on judges’ scorecards.
Ene-Purcell grabbed the rematch offer with both hands when offered the opportunity by Nasio on this month’s Rumours fight card where “The Herminator” cleaned up unbeaten New South Welshman Nick Midgley.
“The re-match is a must,”
Nasio said.
“A lot of people still think the first fight was a fluke because Herman won the first three rounds.
“I want to prove to everyone the first fight was no fluke.
“The Australasian title is on the line so the carrot is a lot bigger than last time.”
‘‘ JAMIE WILL NOW FIGHT ASH HUSTON WHO IS UNBEATEN IN THREE PRO BOUTS. BRENDON SMITH
Photo: Kevin Farmer