Anthony Mundine removed the rust from six months out of the ring with a fourth-round technical knockout over Argentina's Ruben Acosta at Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

Mundine, who last fought on May 17 in his points victory over arch-rival Danny Green, improved his super middle weight professional record to 27 wins and 3 losses with the 21st knockout of his career.

Coming back from foot surgery that kept him out of training for three months, "The Man" started cautiously and waited for opportunities to use his superior reach before finally a sharp left hook to the ribcage floored his nippy opponent one minute and 41 seconds into the fourth.

"He really came out swinging," said Mundine.

"I have been a bit rusty, I have been out of the ring for six months.

"I'm just getting back into it, looking to get active and fight again in three months.

"I want to regain (my world title), but not just regain it but be reigning champion for a long time."

While the Argentine battled hard, and connected with several blows on Mundine, he was never in the contested.

Mundine's patience soon wore thin, the former WBA world champion incensed by chest pounding taunts from the South American.

While Acosta twice had Mundine against the ropes in the first round, his series off blows did little to unsettle the crowd favourite and few connected.

As the fight wore on Mundine's sharp left jab started to find its mark while Acosta continually loaded up on counter punches, his right hook finding the mark but hardly rattling Mundine.

Mundine floored Acosta with a stiff left hook to his opponent's rib cage midway through the fourth round.

It is just the second loss of the Argentine's 18 fight professional career.

The victory now ensures Mundine gets a shot at reclaiming his WBA world title with a bout expected early next year most likely against American Jeff Lacy.

Cronulla NRL player Lance Thompson improved his heavyweight professional record to 2-1 with a second round TKO of New Zealand's Vai Toevai on the undercard.

A nervous Thompson weathered a barrage of early blows from the Kiwi before landing a stiff straight right on his opponent's nose drawing blood to take the round.

The Sharks forward dominated the second round landing straight rights and uppercuts at will, the Kiwi stumbling through the contest until referee Brad Griffiths called an end with one second left in the round.

"I knew he could not hurt me ... he was good for the first minute," said Thompson, who sparred with former league bad boy John Hopoate in his preparation.

"Anyone who says boxing is easy is kidding themselves. It's the hardest sport I have played.

"I have got to focus on footy now. I have to see next off season if I will have another fight," added Thompson, before assuring new Sharks coach Ricky Stuart he would be at pre-season training on Monday.

The evening's bouts were delayed by half an hour after the scheduled doctor was unable to show because of an emergency.

Ringside officials called "is there a doctor in the house" before a patron, Dr Robert Kisonas, offered his services.

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