Bunny Sterling vs. Tony Mundine (1st meeting)

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Tony Mundine 159 lbs drew with Bunny Sterling 160 lbs by PTS in round 15 of 15

  • Date: 1971-01-21
  • Location: White City Tennis Courts, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • Referee: Jimmy Carruthers

"Bunny Sterling retained his Commonwealth middleweight title tonight when he boxed a draw with Australian champion Tony Mundine at Sydney's White City Tennis Stadium. Sterling built up a good points lead in the early rounds and though fading during the middle rounds, came back strongly in the closing stages. Sterling began the fight in brilliant fashion with fine footwork and long-range lefts and rights to Mundine's head and body. Though the 2nd round was even, Sterling again took the ascendancy in the next three rounds. It was during this period that he opened cuts on both Mundine's eyes. But Mundine fought back courageously, and in round six shook the champion with solid left hooks to the head. Again in round eight Mundine rocked Sterling with a hefty right hand to the head, but Sterling, showing his experience, used his feet well to keep out of further trouble. This then was the pattern of the fight to the end. Mundine would catch Sterling and hurt him but could not hold him long enough to deliver a knockout blow. Round twelve was the one in which Mundine almost became the new champion. Sterling was tiring and Mundine rushed him with a series of blows to body and head to force Sterling through the ropes. From then on, however, Sterling kept his distance, moving in and out quickly with left and right combinations to the head, keeping Mundine off balance." -Reuters

  • The police rechecked referee Jimmy Carruthers scorecard before allowing the decision rendered due to the 1969 Johnny Famechon-Fighting Harada bout in which a draw was changed to a win for Famechon due to an error on the referee's scorecard.

Post fight comments

  • "I was quite satisfied with the referee's decision. I feel that the fight could have gone either way. I am very happy with the Australian crowd. Bunny Sterling is obviously popular with them and we will accept a return bout." -George Francis, Sterling's manager
  • "We were definitely robbed. Mundine had won the fight easily and he should be Commonwealth champion. Regarding a return bout. I will have to think about it." -Ern McQuillan, Mundine's manager
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