MUNDINE SEALS TITLE SHOT!

By Tony Nobbs

18.03 - Anthony Mundine took just 1 minute 44 seconds to seal his second shot at a World Title when he knocked out Brazillian Rogerio Cacciatore at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast, Queensland last night. After a beautiful left hook- right hand combo, Cacciatore slumped to the canvas and though the visitor beat the count, he was in no condition to continue and referee Cyril Cairns waved the contest off. The win takes Mundine's record to 18-1, 14 KO while Cacciatore goes to 26-7, 18 KO. None of the Australian's three WBA regional belts were on the line. In the ring post fight, Mundine, 27, said " I felt really focused tonight. I was in good shape and I know I have good power. I want to prove I'm the best and am ready to go now, ready for the World Title".

Who that shot at the vacant WBA Title will be is still unknown. Mundine is rated number two but number one contender Antwun Echols has already indicated he will fight Unified IBF and WBA "Super" Champ Sven Ottke. A possible opponent is number four Mads Larsen who knocked Cacciatore out in two rounds last October.

By his performance last night, Mundine would have an excellent chance of claiming the Title, especially if it's contested in Australia which is hoped and expected in June. In his first crack at World Honors, Mundine was knocked out in ten rounds by Ottke in December 2001, after making the highly regarded Champion look very ordinary before running out of gas.

Mundine is hopeful Ottke will one day give him a return and with the experience he now has behind him and his effort in the first fight, would be in with a real show to gain revenge on the undefeated (30-0, 6 KO) German who has now won eighteen World Title bouts. Mundine also suggested last night that the much mooted bout between he and fellow Sydneysider, IBF number ten Danny Green be best left for until (if) both have World Championship Belts strapped around their waist's.

Undercard:
Mark Alexander KO1 Mitch O'hello, Heavyweights.
Brian Fogerty W6 Fabrice Hona, Super Welterweights.
Danny Buzza W6 Brian Murphy, Heavyweights.
Geoff Kanofski, W4 Joe Salqhist, Middleweights