Can Dunstan cruise to another Title? by Kevin Taylor Oct 9th 2008

Former British and European champion Terry Dunstan makes his return to the ring on Friday night in Sheffield a few days shy of his 40th birthday and almost nine years since he last entered the squared circle. Dunstan makes his return against super-tough Paul Bonson, who has only not heard the last bell in three of his 101 defeats and comes into the contest after getting a draw with another former British champion, Neil Simpson, last friday in Burton. Can Dunstan make an impact again at this late stage in his career? The British cruiserweight division isn't exactly the top division at this moment in time so if there's anything left in the tank of the man who disposed of Alexander Gurov in twenty seconds to win the European title back in 1998 he could see himself making a quick progression up the rankings. Enzo Maccarinelli heads the rankings now that David Haye has moved up to heavyweight, but Maccarinelli will surely not be tempted to dabble domestically again despite being named as the mandatory challenger for the British title a while back, a belt now owned by Rob Norton after his win over Mickey Steeds on Friday night for the vacant strap. Of course you've got to add Herbie Hide to the mix, but he's also above domestic level now although Hide-Dunstan would be one hell of a humdinger if both were near their best. Former British champion Neil Simpson has been nominated to fight John 'Buster' Keeton, another former one round victim of Dunstan, for the English title. No disrespect to either but surely David Dolan, is a more worthy challenger, the rising star in the pack who has dropped down from heavyweight after losing to Martin Rogan in the first heavyweight prizefighter contest. Dolan a standout amateur star is definitely a talented boxer and he had a good win on the undercard of Norton-Steeds against European Union title challenger Rashid El Hadak. Mark Hobson has retired and Mark Krence is thought to have hung up the gloves. Add to the mix another former Commonwealth title holder Darren Corbett who must be at the end of his career having had only one fight in four years and Mickey Steeds who just lost by a wide decision to Norton for the Lonsdale belt and you can see that the division is not a standout one by any means, in fact Steeds could be a good foe for Dunstan in a couple of fights down the line for Dunstan, who obviously has not got time to waste. Dunstan, trained by Howard Rainey, last fought in December 1999 when he lost by knockout to Carl Thompson in the last round of a British title challenge. Dunstan, who was sentenced to eight and a half years in jail in 2000 for false imprisonment, blackmail and aggravated burglary, spoke to BBN exclusively last week, for the full interview go to the podcast on the home page. "Many people think I have just got out of prison, I have been out of prison for four years and have been training hard for the last four years." "When I was younger I was a bit reckless a bit playful, you'll see a whole new Dunstan in the ring. "I'm older and wiser, I'm not ducking or diving anyone, I haven't got the time to fart arse around." Dunstan's comeback starts tomorrow night and BBN will be there to see how the explosive hitter gets on.

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