Mundine-Rabchenko Rematch Ordered By WBC

By Jake Donovan

The November 12 bout between Anthony Mundine and Sergey Rabchenko—in which Mundine escaped with a split decision win in Melbourne, Australia—came with a belt at stake suggestive of the winner being placed in line for a crack at World super welterweight (and welterweight) king Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

With such a fight unlikely, it stands to reason that the most logical next for both is to once again face each other. That fight has now become a reality, with the World Boxing Council (WBC) ordering a rematch during its annual convention in Las Vegas.

The two sides will have 30 days to negotiate terms for a sequel, otherwise will either have to win a purse bid or wait out the results.

Mundine (47-6, 27KOs) is eager for a big money fight as he is deep into the twilight of a celebrated career. Easily the most successful crossover athlete in the history of Australian boxing (Mundine was a former rugby and football player), the 39-year old was hoping to eventually land a showdown with Mayweather or Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez at some point in 2015.

Neither fight stands much of a chance of happening—most certainly not in the next 12 months—despite Mundine’s status as a WBC Silver champion, which is supposed to ensure his place towards the front of the line.

A rematch with Rabchenko will carry the marketing of such an angle, though it stands to reason the winner will likely one day fight for a vacant title. 

That’s good enough for Rabchenko (25-1, 18KOs) and his camp, as suffering his first career loss in that manner has been a bitter pill to swallow

“I'm delighted to hear that the WBC have ordered a rematch,” said Hatton, attended the WBC Convention on behalf of Rabchenko and other boxers under the Hatton Promotions banner, including unbeaten heavyweight Lucas Browne. “I've said before that it wasn't the worst decision ever, but Sergey definitely won the fight and he wasn't helped by the fact that two of the judges, not affiliated to the WBC, were from Melbourne.”

As is the case with all WBC-sanctioned bouts outside of the United States, open scoring was featured, and became part of the storyline for the November clash. Most observers believed that Mundine sprinted out to a strong start, Rabchenko—a well-traveled Belarusian—enjoyed a strong surge midway through and that the final four rounds came down to your judging preference.

Strangely, two of the three cards suggested opposing trends, thus creating post-fight dispute as to what exactly the judges saw to create such differing opinions.

Given their styles, it stands to reason that the sequel could very much wind up a repeat of the first fight. Still, its close and debatable nature is grounds for a return go, one where both fighters deserve the chance to clean the slate and have their say.
 
“It was a phenomenal performance from Mundine and I take my hat off to him,” acknowledges Hatton, though with a disclaimer. “[B]ut Sergey outworked him for most of the fight and should have been given much more of the rounds. Sergey also inflicted a knockdown and the referee didn't score it.

“Thankfully, now Sergey has a chance to set the record straight and get the win he deserved the first time around.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox