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The Unsaid Truth By Danny Leigh

Matches for Mundine in the real world

How does Anthony Mundine stack up against the rest of the World Boxing Association's top seeds?

The WBA's 15 rated super-middleweights are:

Mikkel Kessler, 39-0, Denmark. WBA ‘Super’ Champion, WBA and WBC World Champion.
Anthony Mundine, 28-3 Australia, Champion
Jeff Lacy 22-1 USA
Lucien Bute 19-0 Romania
Dennis Inkin 30-0 Russia
Danilo Haussler 29-3 Germany
Juergen Braehmer 29-1 Germany
David Gogiya 17-1 Georgia
Gusmyl Perdomo 14-1 Venezuela
Jean Paul Mendy 23-0-1 France
Vitali Tsypko 19-2 Ukraine
Librado Andrade 24-1 Mexico
Carl Froch 21-0 England
Dimitri Sartison 19-0 German
Epifanio Mendoza 27-4-1 Colombia
Pablo Zamora Nievas 17-1-1 Argentina

A rematch with Unified Champion, Mikkel Kessler would place Mundine into a world recognised Super Fight. But the super-middleweight division as you can see is loaded with talented 12-stoners from all over the world.

Topping the list is American Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy, who has a points win over durable Ukranian Vitali Tsypko, but a one sided loss to undefeated WBO super-middleweight champion, Joe Calzaghe, 43-0, of Wales. Mundine who improves with each fight could raise his stock internationally if he were to take on the tough American in what would be a very high profile fight.

Canada based Romanian, Lucien Bute might be the best kept secret in boxing. Fortunately for Mundine the unbeaten Bute is chasing the IBF title held by Colombian, Alejandro Berrio, 26-4. Bute faces Australia based African, Sakio Bika, 22-2-2, in an eliminator for the IBF title. Berrio is defending that title against German, Danilo Haussler on June 23, 2007. Mundine would be a good show to beat Berrio, Bika and Haussler, and may look to capture the IBF title as well. But the strong Romanian is favoured to be the one standing in his way.

Undefeated Russian, Dennis Inkin has climbed his way up the rankings by knocking over a large number of German prospects. He has since been signed by German promoter, Klaus-Peter Kohl, who must figure if you can't beat him join him. Mundine might be lucky here - the Russian seems to be chasing Calzaghe and Kessler.

England's unbeaten Commonwealth championm Carl Froch, has established himself as quite a knock out artist, stopping durable ranked contenders and cleaning out his back yard in the U.K. He also looks set on challenging Kessler and Calzaghe over Mundine.

It was hard to find a patsy in the super-middleweight division . . . , until the recent insertion in to the WBA ratings of Argentinian, Pablo Zamora Nievas. On the form of Pablo’s draw with Mundine KO victim Ruben Acosta, Pablo won't last more than 5 rounds.

The Mundine camp are taking the term easy first defence to a nursing home. This fight match up is garbage. Australian fight fans who pay to see Mundine v Nievas will be donating there money to the " Mundines learning how to promote boxing fund."

The Argentinian's well padded record would make Pablo the right opponent for Australian super-middleweight champion, Jamie Pittman, 13-0, or New Zealand's Peter Kariuki, 14-6-2.

In fact either Pittman v Nieves or Kariuki v Nieves would be a great support bout for Mundine's first real defence, of the world title.

That would be value for money, instead of being forced to sit through the long drawn out completely insignificant undercards Mundine promotions are normally known for.

A legitimate first defence for Anthony Mundine would be Juergen Braehmer or Epifanio Mendoza; the easiest looks to be Gusmyl Perdomo.

The 14-1 record is the least impressive of the group but Venezuelan Gusmyl Perdomo who is based in Germany at least has a few wins over undefeated boxers and with a number 6 ranking has been there a while. Mundine isn't seriously dodging this guy?

Epifanio Mendoza is a dangerous puncher but has been stopped by opponents he was favoured to beat. he also has weight problems, a world title shot would be hard for him to knock back. he is definitly a live wire. The Colombian would probably bring the best out of Mundine.

The best match up is popular German Juergen Braemer, 29-1 – 23 KOs. The German bad boy has a lot of fans in Germany, they think he will win the world title but he hasn't shown that much power when he fights ranked contenders, which led to an unexpected loss. Mundine looks to be to big a step up for Braehmer but lots of German fans would disagree.

Mundine v Braehmer would draw a lot of attention especially in Europe, and add a million tv dollars to the stakes. Both men are charismatic and controversial over there.

More Money, More Power..This fight is worth the cash.

Can't say you didn't know.
I'm Danny Leigh, with The Unsaid Truth