Shane Mosley threatens to withdraw from October bout with Anthony Mundine over fight payments

SHANE Mosley has threatened to withdraw from his October bout with Anthony Mundine, claiming the Aussie still owes $300,000 on agreed payments.

Anthony Mundine

AGEING American boxer Shane Mosley has threatened to withdraw from his October bout with Anthony Mundine, claiming the outspoken Aussie still owes $300,000 on agreed payments.

While the two fighters are scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles press conference today, Mosley insists the six-figure sum, which he says Team Mundine agreed to put into an escrow account, is yet to be seen.

The news comes as Australian fight favourite Mick Katsidis, out of retirement following news a troublesome brain scan was "misdiagnosed", also remains undecided about appearing on the October 23 card in Sydney. 

Asked about the Mundine fight while attending a media day for Mexican star Saul Alvarez in the US yesterday, Mosley said: "I’m supposed to fight Anthony Mundine but they’re having money problems . . . sending money to escrow, so that fight might not happen. 

"If they can’t put a measly $300,000 into an escrow account until we fight then how are we going to fight for the money they’re talking about? 

"We’re having problems (and) I don’t know what’s going to happen. That fight is really not a go. It’s not like I’m going to be fighting Anthony Mundine on October 23." 

It’s understood Mosley is being offered around $1 million to face Mundine in Sydney at middleweight, despite repeatedly admitting he would much rather continue his comeback in the welterweight division. 

The Daily Telegraph was last night unable to reach either Mundine or Australian promoter Vlad Warton, however sources close to the Mundine camp insisted Mosley would be paid as stipulated in the contract. 

Asked about going up in weight, Mosley also told US fight website Boxingscene: "It’s the right opponent and the right money. 

"I didn’t really want to fight at 154 pounds but I believe I can beat Anthony Mundine. I believe I can knock him out. His chin is not that good so let me go to 154, pick up the money and then come back and fight at 147." 

Katsidis, meanwhile, was yesterday back in training with Aussie boxing icon Johnny Lewis, insisting his only focus was on again reching the same heights that saw him twice win the WBO lightweight world title. 

Asked about the Mosley drama he said: "All I’m focused on is training like I have a fight in October. 

"Whether I actually appear on that card, who knows? Talks are ongoing with a few different opponents but it’s all for my management team to decide. I’ll keep training like I’m fighting eight weeks from now and just see what happens."