Mundine looking ahead to bigger fish
Anthony Mundine is expected to cast aside another little-known opponent Wednesday night before setting his sights on some of the biggest fish in world boxing.
Mundine will make the third defence of his WBA super middleweight world title against Australian journeyman Nader Hamdan at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Wednesday.
It is expected to be another stroll for The Man, who has been listed at $1.05 by SportsTAB to Hamdan's $8.
Mundine was heavily criticised for his last opponent, outclassed Argentine Jose Alberto Clavero, although Hamdan has a much better record.
But Mundine is already looking ahead to the likes of undefeated Welshman Joe Calzaghe, the undisputed king of the super middleweight ranks.
Undefeated middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik and his American compatriot Jermain Taylor, who have had two epic title showdowns over the past six months, are also in Mundine's sights.
"I want Calzaghe," Mundine said in Sydney on Tuesday.
"(I could) maybe go to middleweight. Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor are coming up to super middleweight.
"There's fights out there for me. I just want to continue to win and continue to reign.
"There's not that many big names out there. When they finish fighting each other they need some fresh meat."
While many felt Clavero shouldn't have been in the same ring as Mundine, Hamdan has at least fought some reasonable opponents, including former world title challengers Sam Soliman and Mads Larsen.
The 34-year-old has won 40 of his 45 professional fights in a 10-year career.
Mundine and Hamdan have known each other for almost 20 years, but Mundine says they aren't friends and predicts he will "do a job" on Wednesday and comfortably retain his crown.
Hamdan has no problem being the underdog.
"I know I've been written off. I understand that," he said.
"It suits me being the underdog."
There has been plenty of speculation Mundine and WBA light heavyweight world champion Danny Green will square off again, with Mundine eyeing off another world title in a different weight division.
Mundine couldn't resist a typical jibe at Green, accusing him of running scared and failing to contact him about a possible re-match.
"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," Mundine said.
"I'll take his title. I already whipped him once, I'll spank him again.
"They may think he's gay. He might be in the Mardi Gras this week, because I'm sick of tapping that ass. It's true. I'll tap it again if he wants."
Wednesday night Mundine will donate $50,000 to the alcohol and drug detoxification centre at St Vincent's Hospital as part of his 'KO to Drugs' campaign.
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