| by
Paul Upham
In
an announcement that will shock and pleasantly surprise
the Australian boxing world, AussieBox.com can exclusively
reveal that the highly anticipated super middleweight
showdown between arch rivals Anthony Mundine and Danny
Green will finally happen. Marathon negotiation sessions
over the last few days will see the fight confirmed today
for Wednesday 4th August 2004. There will be a press conference
with both fighters on the steps of the Sydney Opera House
at 11am this morning to make the official announcement.
The fight will be promoted by Glenn Wheatley in conjunction
with Tony Mundine and Jeff Fenech and will finally see
one of boxing’s most bitter rivalries resolved in
the ring at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney.
“I
told the world that I’m not running from Green,”
said WBA champion Mundine. “The timing just had
to be right and August 4 you are going to see it all.”
“Everyone
knows I have always wanted this fight and I’m happy
that Anthony has lived up to his word,” said Green.
28
year-old Mundine will reportedly pocket $5 million for
the fight while 31 year-old Green will be paid $4 million.
When
asked about the payments to both fighters, Wheatley said,
“I thought they drive a hard bargain in the music
industry, but these two are the toughest negotiators I
have ever come across!”
The
change in direction for the fight, which looked like it
would not eventuate until at least April 1, 2005, changed
dramatically over the weekend when WBC champion Markus
Beyer’s promoter Wilfried Sauerland insisted that
Danny Green sign a contract giving the German options
on his next three fights should he win. Jeff Fenech would
not allow his fighter to agree to this and it seems that
the proposed June 5 Green-Beyer rematch is now off with
fans getting Mundine-Green instead.
“Jeff
contacted me over the weekend and made it clear they were
available for the fight,” said Wheatley. “I
had been in negotiations with Tony Mundine and this development
made the fight a reality a lot sooner. It’s one
the Australian fans are calling out for and I am so happy
to be the one to bring it to them.”
Of
course, Mundine will still have to get by Puerto Rican
Manny Siaca on May 5, but providing he wins, tickets for
the Mundine-Green clash will go on sale at Ticketek the
next morning on May 6. The fight will be held outdoors
and Wheatley anticipates that the arena will be set up
to seat over 60,000 people.
“It
is going to be one of the greatest sporting events this
country has ever seen,” he said. “We will
put together a tremendous undercard and we will even have
John Farnham singing the national anthem.”
While
an announcement will be made today, no contracts have
been signed as local and overseas television deals still
need to be finalised, which makes some industry insiders
very suspicious.
“When
it comes to Mundine vs. Green, I wouldn’t believe
anything I read, hear or see right now,” said one
pay television executive, when asked for comment. “I
won’t believe this fight will ever happen until
they are both in the ring waiting for the opening bell
and that won’t be until at least some time in 2005.”
"PLAYING THE FOOL"
- UPPY'S CONFESSION
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