Tonight in Vegas we see two ageing journeymen come together hoping to regain old glory. Both 37 year-old Aussie Anthony Mundine and 41 year-old American Bronco McKart (54-9-1) have been around the block, briefly holding major world titles and a litter of minor titles throughout their long careers. This fight is very interesting because in my opinion the two are very evenly-matched and tough to boot, I am confident the two may produce magic with their experience.
Bronco McKart’s pro career began all the way back in 1992, 4 months before I was born. After losing a bout early on he rallied to a large winning streak which lead to him winning the WBO Light-Middleweight title. Unfortunately for him the very next fight he lost it to a young, hungry Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright. History came to repeat itself 4 years later when the fight after he won the NABF title Wright took that from him. He fought Wright again later a third time, failing to take away him IBF strap. He has also won minor world titles such as the IBA and more recently the UBO title.
Anthony Mundine Also has a reasonably decorated career, starting his career at the late age of 25, he like McKart rallied on to an early title shot, which dislike McKArt he failed to convert. Mundine had to wait an additional 6 years and another failed attempt against Mikkel Kessler to achieve his dream, knocking out Sam Soliman to win the WBA Super Middleweight crown.
His toughest yet most impressive win in my opinion would be his SD victory handing fellow countryman Daniel Geale, his only career blemish to date. Other titles won include the WBA Interim title which he seized against Canelo’s brother,Rigoberto. Not only that belt, but he was won IBO belt and other minors such as the IBF Pan Pacific and an international title.
This fight has excitement written all over over it. Expect the two to come out and leave nothing in the tank. Expect action and ferocity. Expect them to come together with desire to earn the respect and admiration of the crowd and to not be outworked by the other. Not only this but expect a knockout. The two have good consistent knockout records and neither will be wanting to hear the final bell.
To conclude, the styles and experience match together brilliantly and put on a tremendous show. These are not top of the range fighters but its fights like this were the boxers feel they have a lot to prove and produce magic, similarly to the Gatti-Ward trilogy. I cannot see it going the distance or even longer than 8 rounds but in saying this I find it hard to find an edge for one fighter with which to predict a winner. I will predict that Mundine will most likely be the victor due to his age and the fact he has only lost one bout since 2005.