Matt O'Brien-Lafarrell Bunting is Set For Tacoma Clash

By Richard Cloutier
 
Matt O'Brien (18-1-0) of British Columbia will return to the ring in the new year. His name is actually on the card being staged at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington on January 8. O'Brien will face Lafarrell Bunting (17-3-1) in the main battle of the evening.

Matt O'Brien has not boxed since November 14, 2009. He had then returned to Ireland to get a win on points in six rounds. In fact, until March 19, 2007, Matt O'Brien was a boxer with a bright future and undefeated in 17 fights. That day, O'Brien fought for the Interim Canadian title at the Casino de Montréal. He led with the judges during his bout with Walid Smichet. However at 2:37 of the 10th and final round, he suffered a powerful knockout defeat. Afterwards, he was no longer the same. Bunting will be involved in his second fight in nearly four years.

It must be said that the American Lafarrell Bunting, a resident of Las Vegas and native of Memphis, Tennessee, should probably also remember his time at the Casino de Montreal. He was matched against Jean Pascal on March 10, 2007, or just a week before Matt O'Brien opposed Walid Smichet.

Bunting lost by way of unanimous decision as he battled Pascal for the NABO super middleweight title. Followed the fight, however, he has been taken to hospital. Lafarrell Bunting returned on November 13 of this year, where he recorded a TKO victory against the Canadian Junior Moar. On January 8, he will also have his second battle in nearly four years.