MUNDINE STOPS THORNBERRY ON AN ELECTRIC NIGHT!

By Tony Nobbs

03.11 - Anthony Mundine captured the WBA Fedelatin Super Middleweight Title by stopping tough Ricky Thornbery at 1 min.15 of the eleventh round in an excellent fight in front of a packed audience of an estimated 5000 on the Gold Coast tonight. The win will see Mundine (16-1, 13 KO) move into the WBA top 5, with a number two rating mooted. He entered the ring holding the WBA's PABA and PAFBA Belts and ranked #9 while Thornberry (27-5,12KO) came in a position below.

In describing the action, it must be said, the fight was a barnstormer and the atmosphere ELECTRIC! Before the fight, supporters of both fighters took turns chanting their favourite's name and both entered to a rocking reception. This continued for the entire fight. The opening round saw the faster Mundine fighting in spurts and establishing his left lead which snapped Thornberry's head back. Thornberry bustled forward and pinned Mundine to the ropes where he let go with a steady body attack. After splitting the first four rounds, Mundine's flashy combinations and snaky right hands began racking up the points. Even a brawl in the crowd during round four did not disrupt the fan interest in the real fight.

Early in round six, Mundine had to have some tape replaced on his right glove and this gave both fighters time to get some condition back. Ricky also took the time to rev the crowed up and a chant of "Thorn-berry" rang through the arena. The bout had been fairly even to that point, Anthony having an edge.

In round seven a solid right to Ricky's ribs knocked him side on and seemed to noticeably slow him down. And then the chants of "Mun-dine" started up again. Rounds seven, nine and ten were good rounds for the once beaten 27 year old from Sydney. He gradually wore the older Thornberry, 34, down with some telling body shots and sharp rights to the head. Though Thornberry kept trying to apply pressure and landed some clean shots of his own throughout, he lacked the power to threaten a knockout. There were terrific exchanges all the way, especially along the ropes (where Mundine more than held his own) and Ricky had started giving ground, exposing himself to Mundines ever increasing arsenal.

In the eleventh Mundine went to the body and head making Thornberry grimace and cover up.A follow up saw him touch the canvas only to be back shaping up immediately. Thai referee Charlerm Prayadsab correctly applied a count and then stopped it as a distressed Thornberry leaned over the ropes attempting to recover.

Several Mundine supporters quickly entered the ring in jubilation before being composed by elder Team Mundine members...In the ring after the fight Mundine said "I thank God. I thank Ricky for giving me the opportunity. He has fought some good fighter's. He came to fight tonight, he tried to pressure me and thought I'd tire. But I got stronger and that is from all the hard training and sparring I've done. This fight will get me high up in the rankings". He continued on that he would like to keep fighting in Australia if it can force a World Title shot against American banger Byron Mitchell, promoted by Don King.

At the end of the tenth round Mundine was ahead by 100-90, 100-91 and 99-92. This writer, who didn't bother taking notes as the fight was so enthralling and didn't want to risk missing a thing, had it 98-92. Before leaving the ring to a huge ovation from supporters of both fighter's, Thornberry was asked by announcer Andy Raymond what he thought of Mundine's ability. He jokingly replied "He's hopeless", before saying "No seriously I always respected Anthony's ability, right from when he started out. He just needs experience. He needs more fights, more time and I think he can win the World Title". When asked about his future "I'm not sure. I'll sit down with (brother and trainer-manager) Noel and decide".

Undercard results:

Solo Egberime W8 UD Ernie Artango, Super Welter.
Simon Patterson W6 MD Danny Buzza, Cruiserweights.
Matt Shaw W6 UD Ty Allen, Welterweights.
Dion Marr TKO 3 Yazawa Kazomasa, Middleweights
Geoff Kanofski TKO3 Simon Ali Adem, Middleweights.
Promoter: Tony Mundine Snr.