Anthony Mundine wants Cinco De Mayo date with Canelo Alvarez

 
ANTHONY Mundine has thrown his name into the mix, in the hope of securing a date against Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez on May 2nd.

 
Alvarez, 24, had been long campaigning for a proposed mega fight with WBC middleweight champion Miguel Cotto – but with Alvarez’ promoter Oscar De La Hoya officially withdrawing his charge – Mundine is looking to capitalize on the failed negotiations between the two camps.

 
In an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing, Mundine’s manager Ben Thompson tells us why he believes his fighter should be in the running for a Cinco De Mayo showdown with Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs).

 
“Fortune favours the brave and we are going for it,” said Thompson. “We think this is a viable option for Alvarez from a financial perspective – and from a boxing position – it speaks for itself. Anthony holds the Silver title and there is history with him beating Canelo’s brother Rigoberto in 2011.”

 
“This is just what boxing needs,”

 
Mundine, 39, currently holds the WBC Silver super welterweight title, an honour he earned with a thrilling split points decision over the previously unbeaten Sergey Rabchenko in November. The win also gave Mundine a lofty WBC #4 world rating within the sanctioning body.

 
Despite only the one appearance in the US, where Mundine (47-6, 27 KOs) made relatively light work of Bronco McKart at the Pearl Theater from inside the Palms Casino and Resort in 2012, Thompson firmly believes that the charismatic Mundine would sell well to the American audience.

 
“Anthony is colourful and promotable,” Thompson explained. “He is a former world champion at both 168 and 160, as well as a current titleholder in the 154 pound division.”

 
“Anthony’s credentials speak for themselves and he is certainly in the mix for a mega fight with Alvarez or anyone else at that level. He has been talking about a fight with Alvarez for a while now and just been waiting for the opportunity.”

 
“It will certainly be one where he can prove his worth.”

 
In addition to this, Mundine holds a shutout victory over Alvarez’ older brother, Rigoberto, who Mundine bested for the interim version of the WBA light middleweight title in 2011. Thompson sees Mundine’s win over the Alvarez sibling as further motivation to make a fight between his fighter and Canelo.

 
“Yes, definitely it does,” quipped Thompson when probed on the legitimacy of Mundine’s win over Rigoberto Alvarez. “The Alvarez name is a proud boxing family. Rigoberto was a good fighter and Canelo is their only chance to avenge the loss (which ended Rigoberto’s career) for his family.”

 
“Whichever way you look at it, a fight between Mundine and Alvarez fight stacks up to be a great boxing story,”

 
Canelo Alvarez, who recently signed a lucrative deal with broadcasting giant HBO, was supposed to mark his return to the network in a showcase fight against Joshua Clottey in December. However, the fight against Clottey – who convincingly beat Mundine one fight earlier – was scrapped after Alvarez suffered an ankle injury in training.

 
Thompson believes that up until Mundine’s loss to Clottey in April, he was legitimately in the mix to face Alvarez.

 
“Anthony was in the mix until the loss to Clottey,” Thompson added. “He rebounded with a well-earned win against a young undefeated Rabchenko, this put Choc back in the mix at the top.”

 
“With Mundine being a hotter name, given his promotional strength and WBC Silver belt, I believe we are a much better option at the moment for both Golden Boy and Alvarez.”

 
Now that their intentions are firmly known, Thompson has left the negotiating down to their promoter, Brian Amatruda of Big Time Boxing, in the hope that a deal can be reached.

 
“We have let our promoter Brian Amatruda know that Anthony is interested in this fight. It’s now over to Brian to negotiate a deal with Golden Boy Promotions for a fight preferably in Australia but we will fight anywhere else also.”

 
“We are a fair team and I’m sure we can reach common ground to make this fight happen,” said Thompson in closing. “We also have strength from the army of Mundine fans out there. They support Anthony time after time and we thank them for all their love and support.”

 
“We are determined to repay them with a mega fight in Australia,”

 
 
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images Asia Pac