Heavyweight Hunter happy with low-key pro debut

There was no major hype or buildup for Michael Hunter’s professional debut. And that was fine with the 24-year-old heavyweight from Las Vegas.

Hunter, a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team, fought March 9 in a small venue in Phoenix, his first bout since losing a decision in his first Olympic bout in London in August. But he dominated Chad Davis and scored a third-round technical knockout in the four-round bout.

“I didn’t want to keep sitting around and getting out of shape, so it was time to start fighting,” said Hunter, who weighed in at 212½ pounds for the fight. “I was very relaxed, and I was having fun. The people booed me when I entered the ring, and I’m not used to getting booed. But by the second round, everyone was cheering for me.”

Hunter said he didn’t mind the low-key start to his career.

“I had some offers to sign with promoters, but I didn’t feel they were right for me,” he said. “So when this opportunity came up, I took it. The way I see it, the publicity will all come in due time. I’m not worried about it.”

Hunter doesn’t have a promoter or manager yet. He is being trained by Kenny Croom, who had prepared him for the Olympics, and has been working out in Los Angeles.

Gwen Hunter, the fighter’s mother, said her son is tentatively scheduled to return to the ring in late April or early May. He said he would like to fight as many as eight or nine times in the next 12 months.

“I need to stay busy,” said Hunter, who delayed his pro career four years ago to chase his Olympic dream. “I’ve got to make up for lost time.”

■ HARD ROCK NUMBERS — Golden Boy Promotions’ March 2 card at the Hard Rock Hotel, where Richard Abril retained his WBA lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Sharif Bogere, drew a crowd of 1,448 and produced a gate of $116,250, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission.

All fighters on the card tested negative for steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, the commission said.

■ BEY ON AGENDA — Local fighter Mickey Bey Jr. is on the agenda for Wednesday’s NAC meeting for a disciplinary hearing after he tested positive for an abnormally high testosterone level following his Feb. 2 fight at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where he knocked out Robert Rodriguez in the third round of their lightweight bout.

Bey’s test had a ratio of 30/1. In Nevada, the highest ratio allowed is 6/1. He has been under temporary suspension pending disposition of his case.

■ NEARLY SOLD OUT — It didn’t take long for fans to snap up tickets for Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s return to the ring May 4 against Robert Guerrero at the MGM Grand Garden. Sales began Tuesday, and officials said Thursday fewer than 1,500 seats remained.

Remaining tickets, priced at $600, $800, $1,250 and $1,500, can be purchased through Ticketmaster, Ticketmaster.com and mgmgrand.com.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.