The future of former Australian world boxing champion Anthony Mundine is uncertain after he was beaten by American Charles Hatley in their welterweight title fight in Melbourne.
Australian boxer Anthony Mundine. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 40-year-old who held world titles in the super-welterweight, middleweight and super middleweight divisions said he might not fight again.
The fight was stopped in the 11th round just as Mundine's father Tony threw in the towel in at the Melbourne Convention Centre, handing Hatley a one-sided TKO victory.
Mundine never really recovered from a brutal second round when he was knocked down three times by the Texan, who pummelled the Australian with body blows as well as landing plenty on his chin.
He showed huge courage to fight on and even sent Hatley briefly to the deck in the 10th round but he couldn't secure the knock-out he needed to beat his 29-year-old opponent, whose record is now 26-1.
The 40-year-old admitted pre-fight he was only at 85 per cent with his preparation hampered by tendonitis in both elbows which limited his ability to spar as well as a dodgy hip.
It showed with the former world champion looking out of sorts from the opening round.
Mundine said despite the battering he took in the second round he wasn't hurt and didn't want to stop in the 11th.
"They caught me enough to put me off balance but I wasn't hurt but the corner thought they did the right thing," Mundine said.
The loss scuppered hopes of landing a big-money world title fight against an international name like Miguel Cotto and Mundine said it could mean the end of his 15-year career.
"It could be my final fight but maybe not," Mundine said.
"I just want to get my body right because I had a lot of injuries coming into this fight and I will see what happens."
Mundine was gracious in his defeat, praising Hatley.
"I take my hat off," Mundine said.
"Charles boxed well and moved well. He had good distance and range and I got caught early reaching for him.
"I'm just disappointed; I came in with high expectations but Hatley fought a better fight and I was a bit off."
Hatley will now likely fight for the world championship vacated by Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mundine has a career record of 47 and 6.
-ABC, AAP
