BOXING
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After a 10-year lay-off, Wollongong light-welterweight "Magic" Mick Mlacic has no plans of slowing down following his comeback fight two weeks ago.
Mlacic fought out a draw against seasoned campaigner Joel Dela Cruz in Moree and is confident he has shaken off the ring rust ahead of his televised bout with Will Sands from the famous Australian fighting family.
Their bout at light welterweight will be the first on Wednesday's televised undercard to the all-Australian grudge match of the year, between highly-touted London Olympian Damien "Super" Hooper and hardened journeyman Joel Casey.
The fight, at Jupiter's Casino, Broadbeach, is a quick return to the bright lights but Mlacic said he was unfazed.
"I'm confident I can beat this bloke. I'm back at my natural weight at junior welterweight," Mlacic said.
"That first fight back was at junior middleweight and that's not my division. Before that fight I'd never fought above junior welterweight and could feel the difference. He was bigger and strong, but it was a good hit-out against a tough Filipino over six rounds. I was straight back into training, so there'll be no excuses on Wednesday. I should win this fight."
Coach Brad Gallagher shared his fighter's confidence after blowing the cobwebs out.
"I thought we'd done just enough but both fighters fought their hearts out and a draw was a fair result at the end of the day," Gallagher said.
"We were happy to get a draw after 10 years. Against a bloke like that, not many fighters in the country would come back after 10 years and take the fight.
"For him to do that and jump straight back in the ring four weeks later, live on Fox, it shows he's legit and he's committed to it.
"Will Sands is a credible opponent and comes from a great boxing family, he's no easy fight."
Mlacic fights out of DragonFit Fight Club owned and operated by former NRL star Matt Cooper, now forging a career in Mixed Martial Arts. Fighting luminaries Billy Dib and UFC veteran Anthony Perosh will be guests at the gym's grand opening on Saturday.