Zac Dunn was on his way. He had a record of 23 wins without defeat, and he had sharply KO’d 18 of his opponents.
He had built up a solid following of fans in his home town of Melbourne, had debuted in the US, and was rated in the top 10 Super Middleweights in the world.
He had a US promoter, he had won the IBO Super Middleweight title in addition to numerous regional titles and he was positioning himself for a world title shot. The world was firmly at his feet.
And then he lost. It was sudden, unexpected, and a shock to many that follow boxing in Australia.
Dunn was halted by Scottish fighter David Brophy in March 2017 defending his Commonwealth Super middleweight title, in what was the Scotsman’s biggest win to date and a shock to Aussie fight fans.
“I couldn’t believe it happened”, Dunn said in disbelief.
“It was like I had a bad day at the office, and you can’t have a bad day at the office in this sport”.
Brophy entered the ring with a record of 18 wins and only one defeat, and was a five to one underdog.
With his only loss coming to WBA Super Middleweight champ George Groves, the Scotsman started the fight strongly, and displayed unexpected punching power.
Despite having only stopped two fighters inside the distance, Brophy was throwing bombs and hurting the normally rock solid Dunn.
It appeared to be a different David Brophy than the one the Dunn camp expected to step into the ring.
In round seven with Dunn absorbing blows to his body and head, his corner threw in the towel, saving him from further punishment.
Honest in his review, Dunn gave the Scottish fighter full credit.
“Brophy had done his homework and he hit me with some body shots that really hurt”.
“They had seen something in the way I fought and worked on it. I do give him credit, he was tough and he came to fight but he didn’t see the real Zac Dunn that night”.
The 26 year old spoke honestly about the fight and reflected on the loss with clear thinking.
“I was disappointed for sure. I was disappointed for the people that had supported me, that’s what hurts me the most”.
“I don’t want to give any excuses and I certainly didn’t take him easy but I would love another chance to fight him, I have learned a lesson”.
After the loss Dunn took a couple of months away from the sport and for the first time in four years he didn’t set foot in a gym.
“Having some time away has freshened me up. I feel really good and I want to use the loss to be better.”
“It’s not the end of the world, I have learned a lot about myself and now I am even more determined to be world champion”.
Escaping the Melbourne Winter for the warmth of Costa Rica for a short time, Dunn is now in Miami training for a fight against Romanian Ferenc Albert, on the 23rd of September.
“The fight is in Miami and I am really looking forward to getting back in the ring. I am excited and ready to go”.
“I really like training in the US. The weather is great and the sparring and training is world class. I am right in the mix and I feel fresher and relaxed”.
“I know people might have been surprised with the loss but I am ok and I am now looking forward”.
“The fight on the 23rd of September is my first step back up the rankings and I am really excited about it”.
Perhaps it was a case of the loss he needed to have, but if attitude has anything to do with winning in the world’s toughest sport, then Zac Dunn is well on his way to bigger and better things.
Authors note – In July this year David Brophy was removed from the WBC world ratings, for failing to enrol in the Clean Boxing Program administered by VADA (Voluntary Anti-doping association).
