Boxing: Mundine scraps to awkward win

Anthony Mundine kept his composure and defended his Pan Asian Boxing Association super middleweight title against gutsy Auckland veteran Sean Sullivan in Auckland last night.

Mundine endured an uncomfortable night, finally winning a points decision against the 55-fight New Zealander, who forced him onto the ropes for much of an absorbing 12-round bout.

The extroverted Australian landed cleaner blows but the judges' scores -- 116-112, 119-108 and 120-109 -- were surprisingly lop-sided in what was an even fight.

It was one of the toughest workouts of Mundine's relatively short career. He had to scrap more than he would have wanted as Sullivan moved forward all night, much to the delight of a raucous crowd at ASB Stadium. Mundine's renowned hand speed and power appeared to be sapped by Sullivan's body blows.

A Sullivan low blow -- ruled accidental -- in the fourth round seemed to rattle Mundine, who needed 20 seconds on one knee in the corner to compose himself. In the fifth and 10th rounds Mundine was literally pushed onto his back through the ropes.

Sullivan was docked a point in the ninth round for excessive leaning without throwing punches. That round was Mundine's best, throwing a series of combinations although few punches landed cleanly.

Mundine's record improved to 17 wins from 18 professional fights, his only loss coming when he was knocked out by Germany's International Boxing Federation super middleweight champion Sven Ottke in December 2001.

The Australian holds the World Boxing Association's No 2 ranking and is hopeful he can get a rematch with Ottke later this year.

It was Sullivan's 11th loss in 55 fights.

Mundine will reportedly earn A$250,000 ($272,628) from the fight while Sullivan might get $30,000.

- NZPA