IN AMERICA, far away from the million-dollar stages of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, where the names of fellow Australian fighters Billy Dib and Vic Darchinyan are illuminated by bright lights, 52-year-old Dexter Dunworth is set to fight for his fourth regional title, in Paris, Arkansas.
While Dib, at 23, is taking another step towards stardom by fighting for the WBO featherweight crown this weekend, and Darchinyan, 32, hopes to emphasise his greatness by unifying the super-flyweight division, Dunworth will defend his Arkansas, US Mid America and US Mid South titles. If all goes well, the father of seven will have added another title to his growing trophy cabinet by Sunday.
"I don't have a green-coloured belt," he said nonchalantly. "I wouldn't mind one."
The man acknowledged by the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest active boxer makes no secret winning titles is his motivation to climb through the ropes. When Dunworth says he isn't in the fight game for the money, he's serious. He instructs his US promoter and manager Stacy Goodson to donate it to the local autistic charity.
"Every fight has to count, I really don't have much time to muck around," said Dunworth, who was born in Sydney in 1955, the year Rocky Marciano's reign as world heavyweight champion ended. "I like fighting for titles. Very few fighters ever win a title, and I have been fortunate enough to win a couple."
Dunworth has obstacles other than the youth of his opponents. His knees are made of titanium; the ligaments and cartilage in his shoulders are like porridge and his spine has been fused. He decided to become a professional boxer at his wife's urging to follow his dream last year.
He was too old to be registered in Australia, so he ended up in Arkansas "the land of opportunity" where the people of Paris opened their arms and hearts to a "crazy" Aussie. In the week leading up to this weekend's title fight, he was guest of honour at the University of Texas gridiron game, a match that attracted 90,000 people; he's conducted media interviews; done a commercial shoot for a local bakery; starred in a documentary and fitted in some training.
"The attention is special," he said. "I mean, I'm over 50 … it really is great. I am proud of my achievements. You hear some people say they could do this and do that in boxing but my tip to them is go and do it."
When he fights 40-year-old Ron Johnson, who was ranked as high as No.18 in the world at his peak, Dunworth will be cheered by a crowd of supporters who'll proudly wear their "Dingo" Dunworth T-shirts ringside. Dunworth beat Johnson for the Arkansas belt and expects a tough battle.
"After we fought I said he didn't fight fair," Dunworth said with a laugh. "Ron is a lot more agile than me so I bagged him for moving too much and making it hard to hit him."
Dib and Darchinyan are assured riches, if not fame, in their bouts. Dunworth hopes a fourth title will make him an interesting entry in Australia's book of boxing. Don't name his chapter "The Old Man of the Ring", though. In Paris, Arkansas - albeit a fly speck on the map of the US - the good folk there believe "Champion" would read right. SWINGING FIFTIES Dexter "Dingo" Dunworth:
Born: December 16, 1955
Birthplace: Sydney
Division: Cruiserweight
Record: Nine bouts, eight wins (eight KOs), one loss
World ranking: 156 (of 817)
National (boxrec) ranking: 7
Titles: Arkansas champion, US Mid American champion, US Mid South champion
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