Mundine out to save career, Australian boxing

Anthony Mundine has long been a confident crusader, now he’s set his mind on saving Australian boxing.

Mundine announced on Wednesday he would face unbeaten knockout master Sergey Rabchenko on November 12 at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena.

The Belarusian, who has recorded 18 of his 25 victories by KO, will put his WBC silver light middleweight title on the line.

Rabchenko’s second-tier belt makes him the No.1 ranked contender for Mayweather, the iconic American who boasts a 46-0 record and is rated by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Mundine is 39 and, having been knocked down five times in his most recent fight – a unanimous points loss to Joshua Clottey, arguably fighting for his career.

Promoter Brian Amatruda suggested as much, noting another defeat would essentially force Mundine to hang up the gloves.

“It could be the start of something great or end of something great,” Amatruda said of the bout.

Mundine believes the stakes are even higher – for the sport as much as himself.

“I am Australian boxing,” he told AAP.

“It was as good as dead, I brought it back to life 14 years ago. I gave it mouth to mouth. I’m going to do it again.

“All our fighters have come up short on the world stage (in the past 14 years).

“The only champ we have is (Sam) Soliman and I own him in every way, shape and form.”

Mundine suggested he was neither mentally nor physically right for the one-sided fight against Clottey in Newcastle.

“I won’t make that mistake again,” he said.

The outspoken former NRL star continued to rubbish the prospect of rematches with compatriots Danny Green, Daniel Geale and Soliman.

“Thinking about that just sidetracks me from my vision. My vision is (Saul) Alvarez or Mayweather,” Mundine said.

“Alvarez first preferably. Then Mayweather.

“This fight is the one that’s going to get me to those megafights, so it’s do or die.”

Mundine, whose professional record stands at 46-6, insisted he hadn’t contemplated retirement.

“I try to think it, but I can’t see it. There is no doubt in my mind that I’ll be victorious against Rabchenko,” he said.

“The mentality I have to have is kill or be killed.”

Rabchenko boasted his battle with Mundine was a fight he can “win and win well”.

“My style is all action so I think a few Australian fans will be cheering for me.”

Underworld figure Mick Gatto is sponsoring the bout.