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Mosley ‘can’t wait’ for Mundine fight

Fighters Network
30
Aug

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Having resolved monetary issues and agreed to terms for an Oct. 23 fight with against Anthony Mundine, three-division titlewinner Shane Mosley said on Friday that he is “happy to go to Australia and to be fighting” at 154 pounds.

Mosley, who turns 42 in Septembber, expressed relief that the deal was completed after having earlier cast doubt that the Mundine fight would come to fruition.



“I guess that the money has been put into the account, so we’re good. So I’m happy to be going to Australia and to be fighting,” said Mosley, 41, on his cell phone after having officially announced the bout at a Los Angeles-based press conference organized by Mundine’s promoter, Vlad Warton.

“I’m sure that it’s going to be a great atmosphere. I’ve already been to Australia, so I know that the market is really good as far as boxing. As for myself, I know that they really love me out there. There are going to be a lot of people there and interested in this fight. I’m training hard. I’m very happy that the deal has gone through.”

Mosley (47-8-1, 39 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s Pablo Cesar Cano in May, but was 0-3-1 in his last four heading into the bout, with losses against Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., and a draw with Sergio Mora.

Among Mosley’s career-highs are a pair of victories over Oscar De La Hoya, two consecutive knockouts over Fernando Vargas, and stoppage wins over Antonio Margarito and Ricardo Mayorga. Mosley also has triumphed over world titleholders Jesse James Leija, John John Molina, Phillip Holiday and Luis Collazo, knocking out Leija and Molina in lightweight title bouts.

Mosley’s other losses include two each to Winky Wright and the late Vernon Forrest, as well once against Miguel Cotto.

“Mundine is a great superstar, I know he’s a great fighter. I’m happy to be able to go out there to fight him. He’s a little bit bigger to me, but that doesn’t matter. I’m ready to go,” said Mosley. “I’m about to open camp. I’m looking forward to giving the Australians fans a great fight. Thanks to Golden Boy Promotions for being in my corner. I can’t wait. Oct. 23 is going to be big.”

Mundine (44-5, 26 KOs) is coming off January’s unanimous decision loss in a rematch with IBF middleweight titleholder Daniel Geale, whom he’d beaten by a controversial split decision in 2009.

“I’m on top of my game. Im in a good place…I feel like I can’t be beat. It’s great for Australian boxing, it’s great to have Shane come to fight me in my home town. His legacy is solid, I have the utmost respect for him and he knows that. At the end of the day it’s business,” said Mundine, who is 38.

“We are both competitors who are in the hurt game. I want to prove to the world that I’m cut from the same cloth as the best if the best. My goal now is to let the ppl and the world know my talents. I’m focused. I believe in my heart I will win. I’m headed home to start camp tomorrow. I hope everyone enjoys the fight. God-willing, my hand will be raised in victory.”

Note: Quotes were supplied by Rachel Charles.

Photo by Donald Miralle-Getty Images

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]

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