UPDATE 11am: FORMER world boxing champion Jeff Fenech was one of the big losers after Shane Mosley called off his fight with Anthony Mundine today.
Seven-time world champion Mosley flew back to the US this morning after citing contractual problems with promoters over the non-payment of around $700,000, thus cancelling Wednesday night’s planned showdown..
Speaking on the 2KY Sports Breakfast show, Fenech said he had put up money to to help bring on the fight. ‘‘I’m not dirty on anyone but myself...I didn’t realise he [Mosley] needed that money up front,’’ said Fenech.
Fenech said he had personally put up $500,000 of his own money to get Mosley to fight in Australia
2013.@1bbradfo will be reporting live for us from Mundine's 1pm press conference at his Redfern Gym.
— Aus-Boxing.com (@ausboxing) October 22, 2013
I have spoken to Anthony Mundine, he is devastated. Choc & Khoder have promoted 45 fights without incident but weren't promoting this one.
— Brad Walter (@BradWalterSMH) October 22, 2013
For the record: @Anthony_Mundine nor @Mundine_Promo weren't promoting the fight. Fans need answers from Millennium & Golden Boy Promotions.
— Jamil (@JamilBakri) October 22, 2013
Mosley confirmed he withdrew due to a contractual dispute with the fight’s promoter Vlad Warton, whose used to promote former champion Kostya Tszyu’s fights.
Mosley said in a statement issued by Golden Boy Promotions that he was instead going home after a ‘‘breach of contract by the event's co-promoter, Millennium Events’’, which had prompted him to walk away from the fight.
‘‘I'm very disappointed with this turn of events because I was planning on making a big statement by beating Mundine, but I was left with no choice but to withdraw," Mosley said.
‘‘The fans in Australia have welcomed me with open arms, and I hope to return to fight for them one day in better circumstances.’’
Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer said Mosley had no other option after the remaining $700,000 of his $1 million purse for the fight was not paid as required under the terms of the contract by 5pm Monday.
"It's unfortunate that this fight will not be taking place, and we apologise to all of Shane's Australian fans, but there are contracts in place for a reason, and when the terms are not adhered to, we have no choice but to protect our fighter, and that's what happened here," Schaefer said.
The story early Tuesday:
ANTHONY Mundine is preparing for an opening onslaught from former world champion ‘‘Sugar’’ Shane Mosley at Sydney Entertainment Centre tomorrow night.
Mosley might be 42 but as a seven-time world champion, still looks the classiest opponent Mundine has taken on in his career.
‘‘I think Sugar will be aggressive from the start,’’ said the 38-year-old Blakehurst professional inside his Sydney training camp yesterday.
‘‘I think it will be a war from the start, from both of us. I’m prepared for whichever way he wants to go. I’ve had a good preparation, got over a few niggles early and now rarin to go at middleweight.’’
Mosley has fought and lost against champions Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Junior, and believes Mundine won’t be in his class.
Mundine admits it will be his ‘‘biggest fight’’.
‘‘He’s probably one of the top four boxers in any weight division for the pst 20 years,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m glad to have the chance to show my class.’’
Former Cronulla and Canberra rugby league player Blake Ferguson makes his boxing debut on the under-card, having been mentored by Mundine since quitting the Raiders before the end of the NRL season.
How do you think Mundine will go?
