boxing_great
12-15-2008, 10:19 PM
December 14, 2008
SOLOMON Haumono is poised to split with Anthony Mundine, frustrated by the lack of opportunities offered by the outspoken fighter's team, Boxa.
Haumono will end his long-time relationship with the Mundine camp in a bid to rekindle his promising career, which has been stalled by Mundine handpicking easy opponents for himself and leaving his other fighters struggling on weak undercards.
Widely considered the most talented and powerful heavyweight in Australia, it's believed Haumono will head his own way in three weeks.
"He doesn't think he's getting the opportunity he deserves,'' a source close to Haumono said.
"Sol's had enough of taking on blokes well below his ability.''
The former rugby league star is unbeaten in 15 bouts, but within boxing circles it's widely believed that Haumono's career has stagnated.
He has fought just twice this year. His most recent victory came at Liverpool in August against 37-year-old American slugger Cliff Couser, who had lost his previous five appearances. That fight was on the undercard of Mundine's win over little-known Uruguayan Rafael Sosa Pintos.
There are also some fears that Haumono could walk away from the sport altogether, with only the respect for his father, former Australian heavyweight champion, Maile Haumono, keeping him in boxing.
However, the 33-year-old's anticipated split from the Boxa camp, which has been rubber-stamped by manager Khoder Nasser, is believed to be the first step in Haumono taking a step up in his career.
Legendary trainer Johnny Lewis, who has transformed Haumono from a former rugby league star to devastating boxer, confirmed his fighter's new direction.
"He's made the decision (to split with Mundine), so he must be going to back his judgment on it,'' Lewis said.
"It's just how it's panned out. I still think that he has a big future in boxing.''
Close friend and fellow heavyweight boxer John Hopoate spoke to Haumono last Thursday, hopeful that he could lure his "brother'' to train alongside him.
"But he doesn't want to go that way,'' Hopoate said.
"I would love to have him, but that's not going to be the case. He's like family to me.
"I wish him all the best in starting up his own business.
"It's important he does what's best for himself and his family, there's no doubt he's got a future in boxing.
"He should be Australian champion, not me.''
Lewis said he had not spoken to Haumono in several weeks, but claimed he was looking forward to working with him in the new year.
"I haven't spoken to Sol about it all yet, but when I do I'll see what he's got in mind and where he wants to go,'' Lewis said.
"It's up to him how far he wants to go, everyone knows he's got the ability.''
SOLOMON Haumono is poised to split with Anthony Mundine, frustrated by the lack of opportunities offered by the outspoken fighter's team, Boxa.
Haumono will end his long-time relationship with the Mundine camp in a bid to rekindle his promising career, which has been stalled by Mundine handpicking easy opponents for himself and leaving his other fighters struggling on weak undercards.
Widely considered the most talented and powerful heavyweight in Australia, it's believed Haumono will head his own way in three weeks.
"He doesn't think he's getting the opportunity he deserves,'' a source close to Haumono said.
"Sol's had enough of taking on blokes well below his ability.''
The former rugby league star is unbeaten in 15 bouts, but within boxing circles it's widely believed that Haumono's career has stagnated.
He has fought just twice this year. His most recent victory came at Liverpool in August against 37-year-old American slugger Cliff Couser, who had lost his previous five appearances. That fight was on the undercard of Mundine's win over little-known Uruguayan Rafael Sosa Pintos.
There are also some fears that Haumono could walk away from the sport altogether, with only the respect for his father, former Australian heavyweight champion, Maile Haumono, keeping him in boxing.
However, the 33-year-old's anticipated split from the Boxa camp, which has been rubber-stamped by manager Khoder Nasser, is believed to be the first step in Haumono taking a step up in his career.
Legendary trainer Johnny Lewis, who has transformed Haumono from a former rugby league star to devastating boxer, confirmed his fighter's new direction.
"He's made the decision (to split with Mundine), so he must be going to back his judgment on it,'' Lewis said.
"It's just how it's panned out. I still think that he has a big future in boxing.''
Close friend and fellow heavyweight boxer John Hopoate spoke to Haumono last Thursday, hopeful that he could lure his "brother'' to train alongside him.
"But he doesn't want to go that way,'' Hopoate said.
"I would love to have him, but that's not going to be the case. He's like family to me.
"I wish him all the best in starting up his own business.
"It's important he does what's best for himself and his family, there's no doubt he's got a future in boxing.
"He should be Australian champion, not me.''
Lewis said he had not spoken to Haumono in several weeks, but claimed he was looking forward to working with him in the new year.
"I haven't spoken to Sol about it all yet, but when I do I'll see what he's got in mind and where he wants to go,'' Lewis said.
"It's up to him how far he wants to go, everyone knows he's got the ability.''