Joe Bugner and James "Bonecrusher" Smith will create boxing history later this year when they fight for a version of the world heavyweight title.

Bugner, (48), is set to take on 43year-old Smith for the World Boxing Federation crown on the Gold Coast on June 22nd - with their combined age of 91 setting a record for a world title fight.

Former British, European and Commonwealth title-holder Bugner will also go into the record books if he wins, becoming the oldest world champion, beating the mark set by light-heavyweight star Archie Moore at 48 years and 59 days.

Bugner's clash with Smith comes after he retained his Australian heavyweight title and captured the vacant Pan-Asian belt with a controversial split points decision over Bob Mirovic.

The judges scored the fight 115114, 113-115, 116-112 in favour of Bugner, to the anger of the crowd at the Carrara Entertainment Centre on Queensland's Gold Coast, who booed and jeered when the result was announced.

Bugner was convinced he had done enough to win and is now looking forward to his meeting with former WBA champion Smith, who inflicted upon Frank Bruno his first defeat as a professional in May 1984.

"Unfortunately, most of the fans didn't see the body punches I was throwing and managing to get through his defence," said Bugner.

"They judged me on what he was doing and not what I was doing, which was sad, but that's boxing. At the end of the day what matters is that I won and I'm still on line for the world heavyweight title.

"I admit I lacked spark. In preparing for my fight with Smith, I'm going to have to import American sparring partners."