By Michele Emrick
Shane Mosley pulled out of his fight with former world middleweight champion Anthony Mundine on Tuesday. Apparently, money was a factor.
The bout was scheduled for Wednesday in Sydney, but Mosley dropped out just hours before the weigh-in, and flew back to Los Angeles, leaving behind a devastated Mundine.
“I’m very disappointed with this turn of events because I was planning on making a big statement by beating Mundine, but I was left with no choice but to withdraw,” Mosley said in the statement.
Richard Schaefer, Golden Boy Promotions chief executive, said Mosley had no choice after the remaining $700,000 of his $1 million purse had not been paid by Monday at 5 PM, according to the terms of his contract.
The blow was significant for Mundine, who was looking to rebound from losing his IBF world middleweight title to Daniel Geale back in January. A victory over someone the likes of Mosley would have likely given him an opportunity for some high-profile fights in the United States.
“I lay no blame on Mosley. He is just a fighter himself and he just wants to make sure he gets paid,” Mundine said.
Shane Mosley, had previously announced his retirement last June after losing a unanimous decision to Saul Alvarez. However, the 42-year-old returned to the ring in May to defeat Pablo César Cano by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC international welterweight title.
In his storied career, Mosley has won five world titles in three different weight classes.
Anthony Mundine and his camp have said they will do what they can to get the fight rescheduled for a later date.
