February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
In what was supposed to be a test of sorts in his sixth pro fight, Dunne produced another scintillating performance to blow out Oscar Rosales in the opening stanza of their scheduled six-round bout at the Thunderbird Wild Wild West Casino in Norman, Okla., last Friday night.
“It was fantastic. I just nailed him clean and he was out on his feet,” the 23 year-old Dubliner recounted excitedly after returning to his Los Angeles home last weekend. “I caught him clean with a right hand to the chin and he was dead on his feet. Then I jumped on top of him and hit him with five shots before the referee pulled me off him. It was a great win.”
The stoppage, 1 minute, 49 seconds into Dunne’s first six-rounder, upped the former 11-time All-Irish champ’s record in the paid ranks to 6-0 (5 KOs).
He was predictably ecstatic over his performance against Rosales, a resident of Houston, who was supposed to be his toughest opponent to date.
“This was definitely my most devastating display so far,” Dunne said. “It was a really accomplished performance. I didn’t take any shots. It was slip, slip and bang.”
The youngster was particularly pleased by the fact that it took him less than two minutes to ice Rosales, who went five rounds with 2000 Sydney Olympics quarterfinalist Almazbek Raimkulov at super featherweight (135 pounds) in his last fight nearly a year ago.
“He went five rounds with an Olympic (quarterfinalist) and I knocked him out cold. He’s also boxed as high as 148 pounds,” Dunne noted. “He was a big guy, taller and more built than me.”
Asked if he was concerned that his quick knockouts were depriving him of much needed fight experience, Dunne said: “I get the rounds in the gym sparring with top-class opponents and I think that’s what’s helping me. I know that I can go six rounds if I have to.”
For the Rosales fight, Dunne, who is promoted by Sugar Ray Leonard, sparred up to 20 rounds with Sugar Shane Mosley, the former lightweight and welterweight champion regarded as one of best in the sport. Mosley is in training for a rematch with Oscar de la Hoya, whom he beat three years ago.
Dunne also spars frequently with IBF junior featherweight titlist Manny Pacquiao; Israel Vazquez, another top 122-pound campaign; lightweight contender Ernie Zavala, and the colorful Johnny Tapia.
He expects to fight again in either late May or early June.