Anthony Mundine is poised to relinquish a world title fight with super welterweight champion American Austin Trout in favour of a lucrative three-fight deal in the United States.
Mundine is the mandatory challenger for Trout’s WBA belt but he’s poised to sign with Top Rank, one of the giants in the US fight promotion game.
Trout, who in November pounded another Australian Frank LoPorto, said last week that he was waiting to hear back from Mundine’s camp about the fight but Mundine said on Monday it wasn’t going to happen.
He said that Top Rank was looking to set up a three-fight deal that would lead him to the big names including Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
“I want nothing more than to pump him but for me it’s not a fight that’s going to get me what I want,” Mundine told AAP.
“I wanted to fight him and get that title but when I went to the USA everything changed.
“Top Rank have name upon name of top boxers and they’re great at building a structure for a fighter and they’re looking at a three fight-plan.”
Mundine has only had one fight in North America, against Kevin Pompey in Montreal in 2001.
He’s long being criticised over it but realistically doesn’t have a profile there apart from his inflammatory comments about the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The 36-year-old sees the deal with Top Rank, and his alliance with American manager Cameron Dunkin, who has fighters like WBO junior featherweight titleholder Nonito Donaire and WBO junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley in his stable, as his best opportunity.
“I’m not scared of Trout; I’m not scared of anyone,” Mundine said.
“He’s a nobody in his own country, he’s not known internationally because he’s not with the big hitters.
“This is about building my legacy.
“If I fight him and beat him it won’t mean anything; the risk isn’t worth the reward.
“I need the big fighters and if you want to fight the best you’ve got to be with the right people.”
Dunkin is reportedly eyeing potential fights against WBC middleweight belt-holder Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr or WBC Junior Middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, whose brother Rigoberto Mundine beat in his last fight in September.
Mundine, who’s in full training, said he hoped to have details worked out by the end of the week and a fight set up for April.