Green says focus on Konrad

Danny Green says he needs to focus on beating German Konni Konrad rather than talks of million-dollar rematch with Anthony Mundine.

Boxing war-horse Danny Green says any talks about his long-awaited rematch with Anthony Mundine are on the back-burner until he takes care of German Konni Konrad in Melbourne next month.

Following Mundine's crushing loss this week to unheralded American Charles Hatley, promoter Brian Armatruda was talking up the showdown between the Australian veterans.

Armatruda was touting a May fight, marking the 10-year anniversary of their first fight in 2006, and said it could earn both at least $6 million.

But 42-year-old Green was doubtful of the appeal if he was to succumb in the same manner as Mundine, who hit the canvas three times in the second round before the fight was halted in the 11th when he was on the deck again.

He fights Konrad, 30, on December 2 in Melbourne.

"First and foremost I need to take care of Konni Konrad and he just fought for the world title in September and the pressure has been tripled for me now because if I'm not victorious then any hope of the rematch is gone if I don't beat this kid," Green said.

"If I'm not victorious then it loses a fair bit of edge.

"Mundine just got beaten by a young man and I'm fighting a young man too so if it doesn't go my way ... there's a lot at stake."

Green, who is his own promoter, said he would only deal with Mundine's former manager Khoder Nasser, rather than Armatruda.

"I deal with Nasser if I am dealing with anything to do with Mundine so if and when I get through Konrad then we will communicate."

Prior to the Hatley loss 40-year-old Mundine said he would only accept a 60:40 financial split, which Green believed was laughable.

"What Anthony says and what's reality are two separate things which is something we've come to enjoy about him," Green said.

Konrad was outclassed by Juergen Braehmer in their WBA light-heavyweight title in September, flooring him in the sixth before Konrad quit with an eye injury in the eighth.

Green said that he had been sounded out to be Braehmer's next opponent for the belt but that would go out the window should he lose to Konrad.

"I've got my work cut out for me and there's a bit more steam behind the pressure valve now with so much expectation.

"It's a massive opportunity for him because he's got nothing to lose and everything to gain."


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Source: AAP



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