A view from the fighters
Zac Dunn
“I am totally focused on this fight”
Melbourne boxer Zac “Dynamite” Dunn (20 wins, 16 KOs), comes into Saturday night’s fight with Les Sherrington, full of confidence after a first round demolition of Brazilian Rogerio Damasco in February this year.
Looking to take another step towards a WBC or WBA world title, the undefeated Dunn comes up against the experienced Queenslander in what is great match up for Aussie fight fans.
Broadcast on Channel 31 and via live stream (http://c31.org.au/events), the 25 year old Dunn sees the fight as a good challenge from an experienced fighter in Sherrington.
“Les is a good fighter who throws some good combinations. He has a lot of experience and he is strong. He seems to be a good all round boxer”, Dunn said earlier this week.
“I have been working hard in the gym and I really want to establish my jab, pressure him and see how he takes it, the rest will speak for itself”.
Currently the only Australian fighter ranked in the top 10 in all four world sanctioning bodies, Dunn sees this fight as the ideal preparation for an assault on the top bracket of fighters across the globe.
“I am totally focused on this fight but I would like to challenge Italian Giovanni DeCarolis for the WBA title eventually”.
With a record of 24 wins with six losses, DeCarolis would appear to be the perfect opponent for the heavy hitting Dunn.
“I want to make a statement in the fight against Sherrington first and foremost, and then look to climb the rankings and get a shot at the title”.
With the WBC International Silver title up for grabs, Dunn knows he will have to work hard to get a win against a crafty opponent in Sherrington, and he isn’t taking anything for granted.
“This is another step in trying to achieve my goal of being world champion. Les is going to try his best to take away my opportunity, and that’s not happening.
Les Sherrington
“This win is going to put me back on the word stage”
With a record of 35 wins and eight losses, Les “Lock and load” Sherrington, knows this week’s main event against Zac Dunn, is his final chance at stardom.
After losing his last fight in Las Vegas to rising American prospect Antione Douglas, in what he described as a “bad night”, Sherrington has his focus aimed directly at Dunn and breaking back into the world ratings.
“I am not travelling down to Melbourne to lose this fight and whilst I know Zac Dunn is a good fighter, this win is going to put me back onto the world stage”, Sherrington said.
“My last fight in the US was a disappointment and I am just looking at this fight as a great opportunity for me”.
With Dunn’s original opponent, Belarusian Aliaksandr Sushchyts, pulling out of fight with visa issues, Sherrington was the perfect late replacement and he jumped at the chance.
“I was in the gym training, so I was fit and really it didn’t matter that they only gave me four weeks notice. This is a great chance and I am looking forward to it”.
The former roof tiler and fitness guru knows it’s going to be a tough fight but feels he has the experience to get over the world rated Dunn.
“I am not scared of him. I am just focusing on what I do well and I am the type of fighter that can adapt to what’s required on the night”, he said last week.
Promoter of the bout, Barry Michael, said Sherrington was the perfect replacement and it makes for a very good fight for Australian fights fans.
“I am pleased that Les stepped up and took the fight, I really admire him. This is a real crossroads fight for both Sherrington and Dunn. Zac needs the win to continue up the rankings and Les Sherrington needs the win to get back into the rankings”, Michael said.
“It’s good to see two world class Aussie fighters step in the ring and I fully expect it to be a great fight for the fans”.
Zac Dunn versus Les Sherrington 30th April 2016
You can follow this fight on Twitter by following @Runnerboy22
About David Griffin
Lover of coffee, sport and human endeavour. A writer and life enthusiast with a shameless admiration for dogged persistent people that get 'stuff' done.
Good stuff David. What weight division are they fighting at : Cruiserweight ?
Glen!
Supermiddle Weight Glen
Les is a warrior, he’s been in with the best domestically and has never shirked a challenge. Unfortunately I can’t see his shaky whiskers holding up to Zac’s heavy artillery. I hope I’m wrong, because he has the skills and experience to teach Dunn a thing or two if the fight goes deep. And that’s exactly what Zac needs at this stage of his career to further develop: rounds against savvy veterans who will capitalize on his leaky defense and force him to make adjustments as the fight progresses. I worry that with Zac’s power his development might stall if he’s not tested and I would hate to see him challenge for a world title without having the chance to grow into a more well-rounded fighter.
Thanks Lads!
I think you have wrapped it up perfectly Tony.
I think Les will box Zac and mix it up with angles and movement and try to give him something different.
From what I understand Zac has been working on his jab and his defence. He learnt a lot from the Findley fight in New York.
Great observations and thanks for your message.
To Glen and “Slammer”…..thank you.
I should have a wrap up of the fight written by Monday. Catch it round by round on twitter.
Have a good weekend boys..
Cheers
David
I think zac will win comfortable he knows how to box smart and his mental strength is second to none
Thanks for your comments everybody.
A I write this on the Sunday morning following the fight, I am reflecting on perhaps the most devastating three rounds of boxing I have ever seen.
My personal thought was that Zac would box a few rounds and sit behind a jab. I thought Les would move and provide different angles. Wasn’t I wrong. Apologies………Les did try to move but not fast enough.
Put simply, Zac overpowered Sherrington in what was an amazing performance of brute strength, power and body punching. The body punches that were thrown by Dunn last night, were better than I have ever seen.
Zac is world class.
I will have a follow up story to the fight up by Tuesday.
Thanks for all your comments.
Dave