Dunne criticised for lack of aggression in Mora fight

BERNARD DUNNE has been warned by one of boxing’s leading analysts to return to his attacking instincts if he is to fulfil his ambition of claiming a world featherweight crown.

The Los Angeles-based Irish fighter took his unbeaten record to 13 on Friday night in San Diego, California, with an unanimous points victory over journeyman Pedro Mora, his fourth by judges’ decision in succession having racked up eight knockout wins in his first nine professional contests.

In allowing Mora to last the distance in a fight televised live across the United States and with another live TV date pencilled in for August 14 on the Showtime channel, Dunne drew criticism from respected corner man and ESPN’s ringside analyst Teddy Atlas for sitting on his talents and being too conservative. Dunne, a self-proclaimed natural warrior, was continuing his objective worked out with trainer Freddie Roach, to become more disciplined in the ring and less prone to mistakes which could blemish his record as he climbs the rankings towards a title fight.