Pickering to get EBU shot!

Esham Pickering will have revenge in mind when he rematches with undefeated Michael Hunter for the European super bantamweight championship later this year. After knocking Hunter down in both the first and second rounds of their October 2005 clash, Pickering, 29-4 (11 KOs), allowed his opponent back into the fight and lost his EBU belt on a wafer-thin majority decision. Now, with the European Boxing Union ordering a rematch, 'Brown Sugar' will hopefully get his chance at vengeance. Purse bids have been called for September 1. However, there are rumours that Hunter may vacate the title, in which case Pickering will most likely face undefeated Irishman Bernard Dunn for the vacant belt before Christmas. For Pickering, the EBU title chance is a welcome tonic after missing out on a world title opportunity on May 13. He was due to face IBF featherweight champ Valdemir Pereira in Boston on Ricky Hatton's undercard but was forced to pull out hurt. Pickering's replacement Eric Aiken went on to win the title. "I knew Pereira was nothing special and I was bit sick watching another guy beat him," Pickering said. "But, that's life, I'll get my chance and my time will come."