By Mark Vester
Last week's report of Anthony Mundine struggling to make weight is closer to the truth than many had previously thought. Mundine was due to face Rob Medley for the vacant IBO 154-pound title on January 11 in Australia. Mundine was trying to make history by moving backwards in weight to capture multiple titles. He dropped his WBA 168-pound title and move down to middleweight to capture the IBO 160-pound belt and was now looking for a junior middlweight belt.
Mundine swears it wasn't an issue making weight. He claims to have a big problem with the IBO and their selection of officials. There are now talks for Mundine to face Medley at 160-pounds for the international version of the WBA middleweight title. The decision for the bout to take place at 160 has not been finalized.
Medley's trainer Graham Shaw confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald the IBO title was off the table, but said negotiations were being held to salvage the fight at middleweight. He thinks it's Mundine's weight that caused this last minute event crash to happen.
"To be honest with you, I half expected it,'' said Shaw. "It's disappointing for Rob and us. I don't think Mundine can make the 154 pounds. It doesn't look like he wants to fight Daniel Geale either. I think he's dogged it to be honest with you.''