Bittersweet win as Mundine stuns Mosley

Former rugby league player Anthony Mundine scored a sixth-round technical knockout over Shane Mosley in their WBA international super welterweight title fight in Australia yesterday, the first time the American has been stopped inside the distance.

Anthony Mundine lands a left on Shane Mosley. Picture: Getty Images

Mosley, a 42-year-old with a record of 47-9-1, decided to retire before the seventh round due to back spasms. He said he would decide after he returns to the United States whether or not to retire.

“What’s done is done,” Mosley said when asked whether he would fight again.

Mundine, 38, improved to 45-5 with 26 knockouts at Homebush in western Sydney. Mundine was leading 58-56 on two cards and 60-55 on the third.

“I was in killer mode, but my heart goes out to Shane, I know he’s a winner,” Mundine said. “He’s not one to pull out for nothing. He’s one of the greatest fighters to have ever lived.”

The fight was delayed for five weeks after a series of financial complications.

The contest was refereed by American Raul Caiz snr, who has controlled two of Mundine’s past bouts and one of Mosley’s. Caiz stopped the fight on the recommendation of fight doctor Lou Lewis.

In another bout, former Canberra Raiders rugby league half-back Blake Ferguson lost a four-round unanimous heavyweight points decision to Luke Turner.

Ferguson, who finished 39-37 behind on all three cards, was released by Canberra in September after failing to appear before the board of directors following breaches of the club’s code of conduct.

His rugby league career remains in doubt pending the findings of the National Rugby League integrity unit.

He has also had to deal with two court cases regarding charges of indecent assault and driving indiscretions.

Meanwhile, Liverpool heavyweight David Price will return to the ring for the first time since consecutive stoppage defeats to Tony Thompson, when he fights in Germany next month.

Price, who has signed a deal with Sauerland Promotions, will take on Russian Evgeny Orlov in Neubrandenburg on 14 December, in a bill topped by a WBA light-heavyweight title fight between Juergen Braehmer and Marcus Oliveira.

“I am excited to be starting this new chapter in my career,” Price said. “My training has been going really well. We have made some changes in the gym and come fight night people will see this in my performance.

“My opponent is a tough guy so I am not taking anything for granted, but I have seen him in training and in fights so I know what I have to do to beat him. I can’t wait to get back in the ring and get the ball rolling.”

Price was considered a potential world title challenger before he was stopped in two rounds by veteran Thompson in February. Thompson repeated the feat over five rounds five months later.