Zapopan, Mexico (March 25, 2024) - Heavyweight contender Michael Hunter delivered a dominant performance last Saturday, securing a fourth-round corner retirement victory over Ignacio Esparza in Mexico. However, the fight's main talking point wasn't Hunter's victory but rather the shocking physical condition of his opponent.

Esparza, hailing from Mexico, appeared grossly out of shape, with an evident lack of conditioning and excess weight. Hunter, aged 35 and often overlooked in the heavyweight division, capitalized on Esparza's physical shortcomings, controlling the fight from start to finish.

With his opponent visibly struggling, Hunter had little resistance as he relentlessly attacked Esparza, who found himself pinned against the ropes in a corner. As the fourth round came to a close, Esparza's corner made the decision to retire their fighter, acknowledging that he should not have been in the ring in his condition.

The victory improves Hunter's record to 22-1-2, with 16 of his wins coming by way of knockout. Despite facing some notable names in the division, including Martin Bakole, Oleksandr Usyk, and Alexander Povetkin, Hunter remains determined to make an impact in the heavyweight ranks.

Reflecting on his performance, Hunter expressed his desire to make up for lost time and climb the heavyweight rankings. Despite being 35 years old, Hunter believes he is still in his prime and is eager to challenge himself against top opposition.

"I'll fight Bakole again. I'd like to fight Anthony Joshua," Hunter stated, emphasizing his willingness to face elite competition. However, the challenge lies in convincing other fighters to risk facing him, given his reputation as a high-risk, low-reward opponent.

While Hunter acknowledges the need to elevate his profile and secure meaningful matchups, he remains confident in his abilities and determined to pursue opportunities against other top heavyweights. A rematch with Bakole and potential clashes with rising star Jared Anderson represent intriguing possibilities for Hunter's future in the heavyweight division.

As he continues his journey towards championship contention, Hunter's focus remains on securing significant bouts that will showcase his skills and establish his place among the division's elite competitors.

Michael Hunter returns to action on April 14th in Uzbekistan against Russian Artem Suslenkov.

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