RABCHENKO: “I WILL WIN OVER AUSSIE FANS”

The Belarusian power-puncher knows a partisan crowd will baying for his blood when the opening bell rings at the Hisense Arena on November 12, but he’s confident that they will be singing his name by the end of the fight.

While Mundine splits opinion in the Aussie fight fraternity, he does have a large and vociferous following and Rabchenko hopes to win their hearts rather than break them.

“The crowd will start against me and that is no problem because they can’t fight for him,” Rabchenko, who defends his WBC Silver light-middleweight title, said.

“I think they will cheer for Mundine at the start but then cheer for me when they see the skills that I have and the power of my punches.

“Australian fans like to see action and that is what I will give them. I think the combinations I have been working on with Ricky Hatton will be too much for Mundine and the fans will really like what they see.”

Despite being confident that he has the tools to defeat Mundine on his own turf, Sergey knows he cannot overlook the experienced and outspoken New South Wales-native.

Mundine is a three-time world champion who has mixed it with the likes of Mikkel Kessler, Daniel Geale and Shane Mosley since switching from Rugby League and is still a formidable opponent for anyone despite being 39 years of age.

“I am fully focused on Mundine. He has won many world titles and will be a very tough fight for me,” Rabchenko said.

“He is a great, great fighter and he knows he must win if he wants to box for a world title again. I have to be ready for him at his best.

“He was beaten badly in his last fight [against Joshua Clottey] so I expect him to be very fired up. I just think I hit too hard for him and after a few rounds he will not want to be in the ring with me any longer. I will break him”.

Rabchenko v Mundine tops a huge night of boxing at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne, with chief supporting contests including Lucas Browne’s WBC EPBC heavyweight title clash with Chauncy Welliver and Leonardo Zappavigna v Misael Castillo for the WBO Oriental light-welterweight crown.