17.01.04 – By Tony Nobbs: Anthony Mundine defends his WBA Super Middleweight title for the first time tomorrow night against unorthodox Japanese Yoshinori Nishizawa at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre. The combatants share three common opponents and the bout appears a mere warm up to more lucrative bouts for the champion. Nishizawa was widely outpointed by Guy Waters in 2000, Mundine knocked out Guy in two the following year.
Nishizawa has also struggled with Heath Stenton and Marc Bargero both convincingly beaten by Mundine in the first year of his pro career. Nishizawa, who has a height & reach advantage over Mundine, was last in action outpointing Australia’s no.12 lt. heavy Joel Burke in October. Fight before that he stopped Australia’s no.10 middleweight Arama Tabuai in four rounds due to a shoulder injury. Mundine’s last start was a clear 12 round UD over Antwun Echols.
Though Nishizawa (24-13-5, 12 KO) has been portrayed as an underserving 38 year old in the local media the former OPBF champion is still decent enough to be rated no. 8 by the WBC (15 by the WBA) and will undoubtedly give it his best shot. Mundine (18-1, 13 KO) has learnt how to “get rounds” while making his opponent look credible but at Fridays press conference the 28 year old predicted a win inside six rounds. On the back of his victory over Echols, Mundine should look to get it over with as soon as he gets his chance. The man ‘The Man’ is really gunning for of course is IBF and WBA ‘Super’ champion Svenn Ottke who scored a ten round knockout over him in 2001. And at this stage of the game Mundine would have to be given a more than even chance to gain revenge.
Undercard bouts: Solomon Egberime v Gary Comer for the Australian Welterweight title, Shane Cameron (NZ) v Richard Kemp at heavyweight, former WBC no.2 Super Welter Nader Hamden v ex IBO middleweight champ Ramon Britez (ARG) at 168 lb, no.5 Aussie Jnr Welter Jason Arena v Fabrice Hona, flashy no.7 national welter Edgar Wymarra v Brandan Batty and Dave Dowden v Anthony Courtney at lt.heavy. Promoter Tony Mundine.
Coverage on Main Event PPV from 7 pm NSW time.