By Mark Vester
Former champion Anthony Mundine recently stated that his upcoming bout with IBO middleweight champion Daniel Geale, scheduled for May 27 in Brisbane, may become his final bout in Australia. Mundine says a possible rematch with the returning Danny Green is not a priority. He wants to target the big names like middleweight champs Felix Sturm and Kelly Pavlik - but in reality a hometown bout with Green would make him a lot more money and he easily decisioned Green the first time around.
"It's going to an historic night - it's going to be my third world title and this might be my last fight in Australia," Mundine told the AFP. "Because after this there is nothing but big fish to fry. I am willing to travel overseas, take a pay cut, just to show the people what I can do, who I am."
Mundine would not disclose the name but claims that his management is close to landing him a major fight in the summer. Considering his WBA ranking, Sturm would come to mind since the other champions will be busy with other fights.
"After I win this title, which I will, all I want is champions," Mundine said. "I don't want to mess around with contenders, I just want champions. Whether it's Pavlik, whether it's Abraham, whether it's Sturm - give me one of them. My goal is to become the undisputed middleweight champion of the world.
Some people feel that Mundine's recent announcement is actually a swerve to dicate the financial terms of a Green rematch.
"Unless they give me a figure that will make me rub my hands together then scratch his name off. Believe it or not, money doesn't inspire me. What inspires me is my goals and my dreams. But I've been there and done that (with Green), so the only thing that is going to inspire me for that fight is the money - at the end of the day this is a business. I don't know why he is dictating terms because I am the one that whipped his arse last time," Mundine said.
"I am the one he built his name off. So for him to say all these things is outlandish. But he knows who he has to see to make money."
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