madjack
21-11-2002, 06:02 AM
King camp warn Mundine
November 20, 2002
CONTROVERSIAL US boxing promoter Don King is still keen for Anthony Mundine to join his stable, despite the Aussie publicly spurning the offer.
King's right-hand man, Bob Goodman, said today that weekend media reports in Australia about Mundine's decision had reached the Florida headquarters of Don King Productions.
Goodman wanted to remind Mundine the quickest route to landing a world title-shot against one of King's stars, World Boxing Association super-middleweight champion Byron Mitchell, is to join the promoter's camp.
"I've read some of his (Mundine's) blusters and the fact that he didn't want to go with Don King and that he wanted to go his own route," said Goodman, who is King's vice-president of boxing operations.
"I'm just suggesting the quickest way to Byron Mitchell is to come through us.
"We make champions and that's what we do best and if that's not enough then maybe he's in the wrong business."
Mitchell will fight Frenchman Medhi Sahnoune in February.
Goodman said if Mundine joins the King camp, the Australian would likely leapfrog higher ranked WBA contenders and, after the Sahnoune fight, would be Mitchell's next opponent.
"Mundine could be next in line," Goodman said.
But if Mundine rejects King, Goodman warns the Australian will have o fight his way to the No.1 WBA contender ranking and the status of Mitchell's mandatory challenger.
That could take years and put Mundine in the ring with some dangerous opponents.
"Everybody is entitled to their own way of doing things, so be it," Goodman said.
"But it's a long, hard struggle to get to be mandatory."
Don King's management team is not only interested in Mundine's talent but also the Sydney-based boxer's controversial personality, a trait that can generate millions of extra dollars in box office receipts and pay-per-view TV revenue in the US.
"I've read about some of his (Mundine's) controversy and to be honest sometimes it helps," said Goodman, who's been with Don King for 20 years.
"I like boxers who can put asses in the seat. A lot of people came to see (Muhammad) Ali lose and eventually they all fell in love with him."
King's boxers include WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, heavyweight contender Chris Byrd, WBA middleweight champ William Joppy and undefeated International Boxing Federation bantamweight champ Tim "the Cincinnati Kid" Austin.
AAP
November 20, 2002
CONTROVERSIAL US boxing promoter Don King is still keen for Anthony Mundine to join his stable, despite the Aussie publicly spurning the offer.
King's right-hand man, Bob Goodman, said today that weekend media reports in Australia about Mundine's decision had reached the Florida headquarters of Don King Productions.
Goodman wanted to remind Mundine the quickest route to landing a world title-shot against one of King's stars, World Boxing Association super-middleweight champion Byron Mitchell, is to join the promoter's camp.
"I've read some of his (Mundine's) blusters and the fact that he didn't want to go with Don King and that he wanted to go his own route," said Goodman, who is King's vice-president of boxing operations.
"I'm just suggesting the quickest way to Byron Mitchell is to come through us.
"We make champions and that's what we do best and if that's not enough then maybe he's in the wrong business."
Mitchell will fight Frenchman Medhi Sahnoune in February.
Goodman said if Mundine joins the King camp, the Australian would likely leapfrog higher ranked WBA contenders and, after the Sahnoune fight, would be Mitchell's next opponent.
"Mundine could be next in line," Goodman said.
But if Mundine rejects King, Goodman warns the Australian will have o fight his way to the No.1 WBA contender ranking and the status of Mitchell's mandatory challenger.
That could take years and put Mundine in the ring with some dangerous opponents.
"Everybody is entitled to their own way of doing things, so be it," Goodman said.
"But it's a long, hard struggle to get to be mandatory."
Don King's management team is not only interested in Mundine's talent but also the Sydney-based boxer's controversial personality, a trait that can generate millions of extra dollars in box office receipts and pay-per-view TV revenue in the US.
"I've read about some of his (Mundine's) controversy and to be honest sometimes it helps," said Goodman, who's been with Don King for 20 years.
"I like boxers who can put asses in the seat. A lot of people came to see (Muhammad) Ali lose and eventually they all fell in love with him."
King's boxers include WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, heavyweight contender Chris Byrd, WBA middleweight champ William Joppy and undefeated International Boxing Federation bantamweight champ Tim "the Cincinnati Kid" Austin.
AAP