I'm the better man, says Mundine

Anthony Mundine says he is in prime condition to stop Shane Mosley in their super welterweight WBA International title fight.

Australian boxer Anthony Mundine (L) and American Shane Mosley

Anthony Mundine (L) says he wants to stamp his authority early on US boxing legend Shane Mosley. (AAP)

Anthony Mundine has declared he plans to stamp his authority on Shane Mosley from the outset of what he has labelled his "do or die" fight, after winning his battle with the scales.

Mundine, who has struggled in the past to make the super welterweight limit, came in at 69.65kg, just under the 69.85kg limit for Wednesday's bout for the vacant WBA International title at Sydney's Allphones Arena.

Mosley, who turned up ten minutes late to the weigh-in, was 69.10kg.

The title apart, continued relevance on the international scene and potentially bigger fights are the prizes for the two skilled veterans.

Neither has had the perfect preparation with the fight being postponed for five weeks.

Mosley had to make two extra long distance plane trips, while Mundine had to deal with the firebombing of his cafe.

Mundine (44-5, 26 KOs) is ranked 10th by the WBA, while Mosley (47-8-1, 39 KOs) isn't currently rated by that organisation.

However, a win, and especially if he could become the first man to stop Mosley, would boost Mundine's ranking and keep alive his dream of a bout with WBA champion Floyd Mayweather, universally acknowledged as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

A loss to 42-year-old multi world title winner Mosley would scupper that dream and Mundine has suggested it could end his career, though his father and trainer Tony doesn't necessarily believe that would be the case.

"He (Mosley) has got a great right hand, a great left hook, a good jab, and it's just a matter of countering all that," Mundine said.

"And setting my authority and showing my authority early and earning my respect early.

"I'm in tip-top condition. It's just a matter of executing my boxing better than what he does on the night, and doing certain things in the game plan to get the victory.

"I believe I'm going to win, with all due respect to Shane. I just think the time in our careers right now, that I'm the better man.

"But that's what so intriguing about the fight, I've got to prove that and Shane wants to prove what he believes."

Mosley, who turned professional seven years before Mundine, believes three things will work in his favour.

"I think my speed, my power and my experience are going to be a big factor in this fight," Mosley told AAP.

Mundine's father and trainer Tony cheerfully revealed Anthony's lack of talk on Monday was more a tactic to get the media talking than any signs of pressure.

He wants his son to dominate and said pay-for-view sales of the rescheduled fight were going well.

The contest will be refereed by American Raul Caiz Sr, who has controlled two of Mundine's past bouts and one of Mosley's.

Australian Will Soulos was called up as a judge after a Thai official failed to get to Sydney in time and will score the bout with American and New Zealand officials.

Former Canberra rugby league star Blake Ferguson, scaled 100.35kg for his heavyweight bout against fellow boxing debutant Luke Turner (97.20kg)


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3 min read

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Source: AAP


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