Bugner, 45, Returns to Win Australian Title

Joe Bugner, a 45-year-old grandfather, made an impressive comeback to boxing after an eight-year absence Friday with a unanimous 12-round decision over Vince Cervi to win the Australian heavyweight title.

Bugner added the Australian title to the British, Commonwealth and European titles he had previously won in a professional career spanning 27 years.

Bugner used his left jab and right cross to good effect and won by scores of 119-109, 119-111 and 117-111.

Bugner (62-12-1) finished surprisingly fresh, dominating the final round. He threw his hands into the air in triumph as the near sellout crowd of 3,500 at the Carrara Stadium chanted, “Joe, Joe, Joe.” The former Hollywood actor then hugged his wife, Marlene.

Bugner is 18 years older than Cervi, 27, but had a considerable weight advantage. He weighed 259 pounds to Cervi’s 216.

Bugner showed surprising hand speed and a lack of rustiness, but did not have the power to stop Cervi (8-4-2).

“The master showed the boy,” Bugner said. “I showed that someone who is in his 40s is not too old.”

Bugner, who twice lasted the distance against Muhammad Ali, said he hopes to cap his comeback by fighting either World Boxing Council champion Frank Bruno or George Foreman.