By Adrian Warren
Legendary American boxer Shane Mosley has shown how serious he is about beating Anthony Mundine, by arriving three weeks before their fight and bringing in a former world champion as his sparring partner.
Multiple world title winner Mosley 42, arrived in Sydney on Wednesday, exactly three weeks before his October 23 clash with Mundine for the vacant WBA International super welterweight title at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
Asked why Mosley had come to Sydney so early, promoter Vlad Warton said "acclimatisation and proper preparation because he thinks he's going to dispose of Anthony.
Among the Mosley entourage is former WBC super welterweight champion Sergio Mora, who will spar with him in Sydney.
Warton vigorously defended Mosley's condition and health, which have been questioned by some pundits.
"He's been in touch with all the doctors he's in perfectly good shape," Warton said.
"If he wasn't, I wouldn't be getting him involved.
"He may not be as sharp as he was ten years ago,in the prime of his career, but he's never been stopped in 57 fights.
"His only losses are to the very best boxers in the world.
"He's still a most dangerous opponent and I dare say 95 to 99 per cent of boxers out there, Shane would have no problem knocking out."
Warton, who is best known in Australia for his long term association with former world champion Kostya Tsyzu, emphasised there was plenty at stake for both Mundine and Mosley.
"The winner will get a lucrative fight in the US with a major television network as a follow up bout, whereas the loser will have to virtually start from scratch and do a lot of thinking," Warton said.
He said the fight would be seen across the world including, Asia, the United States, Latin America and Europe.