Former amateur standout Mike Wilson hopes to gatecrash the heavyweight rankings with a shock win over the highly-rated Michael Hunter at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater on August 3.
The 38-year-old Wilson, a two-time US National amateur super-heavyweight champion (2004 and 2005), returns from a two-year hiatus to take on contender Hunter (19-1-1, 13 KOs) in the TrillerVerz main event in New York next Tuesday evening.
The duo already have history with an 18-year-old Hunter outpointing Wilson to win the US National super-heavy crown in 2007. An upset victory could catapult former cruiserweight Wilson into the world title picture with Hunter currently rated No.6 by each of the WBC, WBA and WBO.
“It would be huge and bring the opportunity of some big fights!” Wilson (21-1, 10 KOs) told Fightnews. “Hunter is in the Top [6] in the world and beating him would put me right in the mix and open up some big doors.
“It’s a great opportunity to get exposure throughout the country and to top that off fighting at Madison Square Garden where all the greats fought. I couldn’t be happier.
“When you’re coming in as the underdog you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”