Australia's former two-time world super middleweight champion Anthony ''The Man'' Mundine attempts to put himself right back in contention for another crack at the world title when he takes on Rigoberto ''El Español'' Alvarez for the interim WBA light middleweight title at the Entertainment Center, Newcastle, New South Wales in Australia on Wednesday. 36 year old Mundine (42-4, 25 KO's), last held the WBA super middleweight title in 2008.  

A win over 33 year old Alvarez (27-3, 20 KO's), older brother of WBC light middleweight champion Saul ''Canelo'' Alvarez, would lead to a fight against American Austin Trout for the WBA world 154 lb crown. Trout defeated Alvarez for the title in February of this year.

One of the most high-profile fighters in Australian boxing history, Mundine has enjoyed something of a love-hate relationship with the Aussie boxing public. Controversial and outspoken, his rivalry with fellow Australian Danny Green resulted in a 37,000 sellout at the Aussie Stadium in Sydney in 2006, the biggest ever attendance for a boxing match in Australia, eclipsing the rematch between Jeff Fenech and Azumah Nelson in the same stadium back in 1992.

Wednesday's fight with Alvarez is being televised live in both Mexico and in the US by cable giants HBO who are keen for Mundine to fight in America. The Aussie hard man knows he cannot afford to blow what could be his final opportunity to get back in the big time. With Saul Alvarez becoming the biggest star in Mexican boxing since Julio Cesar Chavez, and regarded as a potential rival for Manny Pacquiao, the Alvarez brothers (there are four of them) are all virtual household names in Mexico, and attract intense interest in a boxing mad country of 114 million people.

After spending the first eight years of his career at super middleweight, Mundine, the son of 1970's light heavyweight contender Tony Mundine, decided the 168 lb was becoming too competitive, and in 2008 began competing as a middleweight and light middleweight. Mundine went undefeated for five years and 17 bouts - included in that streak was a split decision win over current IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale. 

Mundine suffered a shock loss against novice Garth Wood in December 2010, being knocked out in five rounds in a stunning upset. At the time it looked as if the writing was on the wall for Mundine, but he bounced back four months later and won a close but unanimous decision over Wood, flooring his rival three times late in the fight to secure victory. Mundine was in action again in June, hammering decent American Xavier Toliver to defeat in seven rounds. 

At his best, Mundine is a master boxer in the mold of Roy Jones Jr. However, like Jones, he carries his guard low, and is prone to defensive lapses, sometimes appearing to go AWOL during a fight. 

Now he takes on a veteran Mexican with a reputation as a puncher. Turning pro in 2000, Rigoberto Alvarez had something of a stop-start career initially, but went 23-0 before losing for the first time against cagey South African journeyman William Gare in 2009. Alvarez was kayoed in nine rounds by fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Rubio - currently ranked no.1 by the WBC at middleweight - in a bout for the WBC Latino middleweight title in January 2010.

Alvarez bounced back with two quick wins and in October 2010 won a split decision over Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan to win the WBA interim light middleweight title. The victory earned Alvarez  a shot at the vacant WBA title, but he was completely outclassed by Austin Trout, the slick  southpaw who just might be the best kept secret in boxing. 

Trout exposed all of the limitations in Alvarez that Mundine will be looking to capitalize on. The Mexican southpaw is a decent boxer, but has dreadfully slow footwork and is extremely easy to hit. He hits hard, particularly with the right hook, and if Mundine, who likes to fight with his hands low, leaves his chin hanging out, he will get knocked cold. 

Hopefully Mundine will have done his homework on Alvarez, and should have way to much class for the Mexican, who has none of his baby brother's speed and mobility. If Mundine loses concentration, he could suffer a similar fate as he did last December and get KO'd spectacularly. However if he is focused on the job at hand, he will cruise to a one-sided decision. 

Mundine by unanimous decision.

Big Fight Odds: Anthony Mundine 3/10, Rigoberto Alvarez 12/5 bet365