Australian boxer Joel Brunker keen to make a big impact on undercard of Geave v Barker fight in Atlantic City

JOEL Brunker is no longer that anonymous Aussie kid fighting just to win.

Joel Brunker

JOEL Brunker is no longer that anonymous Aussie kid fighting just to win.

"Taking on Mike Oliver, I feel like it's my rite of passage, " the undefeated Sydney featherweight says. "I'm now in the business of running through people, of pushing toward a world title . . . and Mike's the one who has to pay for that." Unbeaten in all his 26 fights, Brunker is looking to keep the streak alive this Sunday when he fights on the undercard of IBF world middleweight champ Daniel Geale in Atlantic City. The bout against Oliver, who has dropped his past two fights against Juan Manuel Lopez and Australian Billy Dib, will be screened live Down Under as part of the Main Event coverage which starts from 11.30am. American promoter Gary Shaw, whose stable includes both Geale and Brunker, said the talented 27-year-old was now only one or two fights away from taking on a genuine superstar of the division. "Joel's a tremendous talent who is capable of reshaping the featherweight division in a single performance," Shaw said. "But that performance will have to come against a fighter with an established reputation. "So let's see what he does against Oliver. Then we'll move forward. So basically Australia, tune in or risk missing the birth of a star." Asked about his preparations, Brunker added: "If I can make a habit out of working hard, staying focused on the opponent in front of me, then winning can become a constant occurrence. "In terms of my readiness for a title shot, the willingness is there, trust me. But I don't want to be too eager. Let's just say I've got my eyes on the belt holders . . . and if they were smart they'd keep their eye on me."