Zac Dunn primed for career-defining night with Max Bursak

 
THE weeks have turned into days and now Zac Dunn is as close as ever to realising a lifelong dream.

 
On Saturday night at the Royal Exhibition Building, all eyes will be on the hard-hitting super middleweight, who will long to put an exclamation point on his transition from prospect, to contender and ultimately champion.

 
Having finished an arduous training camp in Melbourne’s west, Dunn (17-0, 15 KOs) speaks with confidence about his meticulous preparation alongside his career-long trainer Danny Kay.

 
Dunn and his team have left no stone unturned for their looming tilt at the super middleweight championship. With a sparring lineup that is the envy of every other camp in Australia, Dunn believes he is more than ready.

 
“We brought over Brian Vera, who was here for the first three weeks,” Dunn explained. “He’s got a fight the day before mine in London. He’s tough, he comes to fight and walks forward.”

 
“I’m pretty sure that’s how Bursak is going to come in on Saturday night,”

 
“My other main sparring partner was Mike Jimenez, who is a bit taller but has a good defence. He makes me think a bit more, especially when it comes down to breaking his guard.”

 
“But he’s always been walking forward and bringing it to me as well,”

 
Despite holding a majority of the advantages going into the fight, including height, presumably weight and of course home support, Dunn is of the impression that Bursak will have to bring the fight to him.

 
“I know that Bursak is a lot shorter than me,” continued Dunn. “I’ve watched a little bit of footage on him, I haven’t watched too much. I’m expecting him to come to me and make the fight because of his size,”

 
“I’m fit for the twelve rounds, so I’m not concerned with how I win the fight. I’m prepared for whatever scenario comes up on the night.”

 
“I’ve done the hard work and put in the hard yards. I kept myself under the radar but now with my IBO world title shot, I’m ready to show the world that I can be up there with the best,”

 
Australia’s track record in world title fights has been unflattering to say the least. But with the financial backing behind him, Dunn hopes to break the mould for fighters that will challenge the world’s best, but on home turf.

 
“Some fighters would get overwhelmed with a world title shot and they try to do too much in the gym,” said Dunn in closing. “We’ve built up a lot of our work over time, we’ve just been very precise,”

 
“I’m confident – I believe I can win – with a bit of luck on my side. I’ll be nervous as we get closer, but that’s normal, I’ve just got to turn it into positive energy,”

 
 
Photo: Marty Camilleri/Marty’s Knockout Photography