Dunn dismantles Zeller in three round mismatch

 
ZAC Dunn might just be the best Australian prospect in a stacked super middleweight division.

 
Having been in the paid ranks for just over two years, Dunn has amassed an impressive professional record, picking up state and regional title honours as well as a world rating by the WBC.

 
Few outside of his home state in Victoria have seen the Brunswick-based Dunn in action. But those inside his circle, including manager Barry Michael and former IBF middleweight champion Sam Soliman – who regularly spars with Dunn – believe he is a world champion in the making.

 
With that said, Dunn, 23, will learn little from fights like last weekend’s three-round blowout of obscure Hungarian Istvan Zeller.

 
Simply put, it was a mismatch.

 
Zeller, 24, had no business being in the ring with a seasoned prospect like Dunn, let alone in a regional title fight that would lead to a top fifteen world rating for the winner.

 
Dunn (now 15-0, 13 KOs) beat Zeller (now 9-4, 4 KOs) from pillar-to-post before referee Jim Boland wisely saved the overmatched visitor from serious damage. Zeller offered little in their short three-round fight and it was evident almost immediately that Zeller had no business being in the ring.

 
To his credit, Dunn did what he was supposed to do, unloading on the Hungarian before flooring the visitor with a trademark left hook to the body. Zeller was floored a further time before Dunn was crowned the victor, adding the vacant WBO Oriental strap to his WBC Eurasian Pacific Boxing Council super middleweight title.

 
“From the beginning, I just wanted to establish my jab,” said Dunn in an exclusive post-fight interview with Aus-Boxing. “He was running early, so I didn’t want to chase him down too early and get hit from shots that I probably shouldn’t have.”

 
“I was playing it cautious.”

 
“I noticed mid-round in the second that he started to slow up and I was able to land the shots I wanted to land. I was able to throw more shots to the body, that was what got him – the body shots.”

 
“My plan was to box strong and if couldn’t keep up with the pace; get him out of there.” Dunn said. “I’m really happy with my performance and I must thank my trainer Danny Kay.”

 
The fight against Zeller marked the first fight for Dunn under the management of Barry Michael, who signed Dunn to a five-fight contract earlier in the month. Dunn had previously been managed and promoted by Murray Thompson for the entirety of his professional career.

 
“I have just moved over from Murray Thompson to Barry Michael and this is the first fight night I have fought under Barry,” Dunn explained. “He has worked with the WBO for a five-fight deal. I’m young enough I want to get there at the right time and aim to hold some world titles for a long duration.”

 
“I’m still the WBC Youth champion, but I want to pursue the WBO path. They have guaranteed me a top-fifteen rating after this win.”

 
“With the five-fight deal, I could possibly fight Arthur Abraham towards the end of next year if it all goes to plan. It would be really good if we could bring a fight like that here.”

 
“I should be fighting again on December 13th, hopefully against a craftier opponent, which will be a good way to finish off the year. Then look at getting back in February next year.”

 
 
Photo: Adam Auld/Aus-Boxing