Dolan aims to finally win title against Dunstan

If you asked British fans to name a Sunderland fighter these days, most would understandably think of Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries. Another Mackem who has been punching for pay without a huge amount of luck since before Jeffries turned over is former ABA champ and current cruiser pro, David Dolan.

Hardly the most active with only 16 fights in four and a half years, Dolan has still managed to squeeze in fighting for three titles of sorts yet has come up short on each occasion.

He lost the first heavyweight Prizefighter final on points to Martin Rogan two years ago today; got old manned on points against Rob Norton for the Stourbridge enigma's British and the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight titles in February 2009; and got much closer against the same opponent in January this year, forcing a draw.

On 12th December at the Rainton Meadows Arena at Houghton-le-Spring, down the road from his home town, Dolan will try and finally secure a belt of some sorts by having a crack at the vacant English title against former classy veteran Terry Dunstan.

In his 19th year as a pro, 42-year-old Dunstan is a former British and European title holder as well as IBF title challenger. But this was a long time ago now.  Dunstan had quite a bit of time out post-1999, not helped by a stretch at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

Since returning in 2008, he's won four and lost one, the loss being on points in the quarter-final of a Prizefighter tournament against eventual winner Ovill McKenzie in which a ponderous Dunstan was dropped in the second.  

Dolan will be favourite, especially on home turf, but Dunstan can still bang as reflected by his most recent win, a first round stoppage against Hastings Rasani.

All tickets will be priced at £30 and are available from Mackem likely lad Phil Jeffries on 07747611020.