KEY POINTS:
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron expects a frustrating, drawn-out contest here tomorrow as he chases an 18th consecutive professional win on the Anthony Mundine undercard.
Cameron, 29, will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan-African title against Australian veteran Bob Mirovic, 40, over 12 rounds at the
Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Their bout will be followed by trash-talking former rugby league star Mundine's defence of his WBA super-middleweight title against compatriot Sam Soliman.
It's a long-awaited return to Australia for Cameron who was scheduled to fight on the Mundine-Danny Green undercard last May before his opponent withdrew.
Despite his advancing years, Cameron insists his opponent is no easybeat.
Mirovic's record of 25 wins, including 16 by knockout, 13 losses and two draws includes victory over Nigerian Roger Izonritei who Cameron stopped in the 10th round Auckland last July.
"I wouldn't expect to beat him easily. He's been around a long time and he'll try all sorts to tie me up, try to mess my game up," Cameron said before today's weigh-in.
Cameron was a regular sparring partner of Mirovic's in recent years and the New Zealander's manager Ken Reinsfield recently said it would be his toughest opponent yet.
"He's exactly the sort of opposition we're looking for because he's a big, experienced and tough guy."
Fifteen of Cameron's 17 wins have been by knockout and he now sits 14th on the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world heavyweight rankings.
Safely through tomorrow, Cameron said his next fight would be in Auckland against an unconfirmed opponent in May, with the possibility of a lead-up bout in April.
Despite overtures to David Tua's camp in recent months, including an offer of a $250,000 purse which was rejected, Cameron wasn't holding his breath for a mouth-watering all-New Zealand fight in the near future.
"He's (Tua) following a different path and you can't force a man to fight. We offered good money and it shows he just doesn't want to fight me."
Cameron's last fight was in Christchurch in December, a ninth round technical knockout of South African Osborne Machimana.
Cameron said his new trainer, Lolo Heimuli who's trained top kickboxer Ray Sefo and the Tongan national boxing squad, had lifted him to a new level.
"He brings so many more ideas and makes me box a lot smarter, keep my distance and get my timing right."
Several other New Zealanders are on tomorrow's undercard against big-name opponents.
Richard Tutaki, beaten by Cameron in 2004, will fight league star Willie Mason's brother Les Mason, while James Katinapi lines up against former league bad boy John Hopoate.
- NZPA
