By Chris LaBate

At the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Queensland, Australia, former champion Anthony Mundine (41-4, 24KOs) staged a late rally in the final two rounds to secure a unanimous ten round decision win over Garth Wood (10-2-1, 6KOs). The judges saw it 96-92, 96-92 and 95-93. Wood went down twice in the final two rounds which provided a huge shift in points for Mundine. Last December at Acer Arena, Wood scored a shocking knockout over Mundine in five rounds.

It was a rough, foul-filled fight, but Mundine threw a better variety of punches in the early rounds, and the awkward style of Wood made the rounds close. Mundine was often pinned against the ropes as Wood tried to replicate last year's big knockout. Mundine would fire good combinations in the closing moments as part of his attempt to steal the rounds. Wood began to change the tempo at the half. He had a strong sixth round where he put in the punishment and cut Mundine above the right eye.

Mundine staged a big late rally when he scored a flash knockdown in the ninth round with a quick left, but there really wasn't any damage to Wood who complained to the referee that he actually slipped. The tenth round was huge for Mundine, as he scored another knockdown with a well placed uppercut and there was no dispute over this dropping. Later in the same round, the fouls continued between both men. Mundine went through the ropes after a shove from Wood. The ref would end up penalizing Mundine after repeated foul warnings.