FRANK MALONEY is now willing to pay Bernard Dunne £200,000 (STERLING) if he has the bottle to defend his WBA super-bantamweight title against Rendall Munroe. Maloney originally offered the Irishman £150,000, but has upped the ante with the choice of a £200,000 purse or share of the promotion. And Munroe has told Maloney that Dunne can even have the fight that the world wants to see in his backyard, Dublin. The fight would earn Dunne the highest purse of his career and the latest offer is surely too good for him to refuse..
Maloney said: “If Bernard doesn’t accept this offer then his promoter Brian Peters must have some incredible offers for his man.
“I had no reply to the first offer, but I’m sure when Dunne gets wind of this one he will tell Brian to call me and thrash out the deal.
“Bernard can have home advantage and either £200,000 in his bank or a share of the profits from the promotion which could earn him even more.
“When we were ringside in Dublin for Dunne’s title win against Ricardo Cordoba, Rendall kept pointing at Dunne and saying, ‘Get me him.’
“Bernard can run, but he cannot hide from Rendall for ever and what a shame he seems to be avoiding his biggest rival.”
Leicester dustman Munroe has good reason to fancy his chances against Dunne when their paths eventually cross.
Dunne’s only loss came when his suspect chin was exposed in 86 seconds by Kiko Martinez in August 2007.
Since then southpaw Munroe has defeated the Spaniard twice inside a year making a mockery of Martinez’s supposed punching power.
Maloney added: “Dunne-Munroe will happen and wherever it takes place I am confident that Rendall will win inside the distance. I challenge Bernard and Brian to prove me wrong”
MORAN: I’LL MAKE A MARK ON BOOTH
JASON BOOTH and Mark Moran will now share a ring instead of a dressing room next week when they contest the vacant British super-bantamweight title.
Their 12 rounder takes place at Leigh Indoor Sports Centre on Friday April 17 and will be televised live by the REAL home of boxing Sky Sports.
Southpaw Moran (11-0-1) was heading the bill in a showdown with British super-bantamweight champion Matthew Marsh. Unfortunately Marsh can no longer make the 8st 10lb weight limit and relinquished his title earlier this week
Nottingham’s ‘2 Smooth’ Booth (31-5) had been due to challenge Lee Haskins for the British super-flyweight title on the same card, but the Bristol boxer suffered a hand injury.
It looked as though their weeks of training were wasted, but a title fight has been hurriedly sanctioned after Marsh stood down.
Promoter Frank Maloney said: “Whatever the outcome Jason and Mark are a credit to boxing, by agreeing to face each other at such short notice for a major title.
“Of course, both were fit and raring to go, but now have to prepare for a different style of fighter at such short notice.
“They were going to share the challengers’ dressing room, but now they will be swapping punches instead.
“My heart stopped when both fights collapsed inside a few hours at last weekend. I was on holiday in Portugal and rushed home.
“If the fight is as good as it promises to be then it will have been worth all the problems.”
Moran, who has earned the nickname ‘Sparko Marko’, can’t wait to tackle 31-year-old Booth who currently holds the Commonwealth bantamweight title.
Liverpool’s Moran, 27, said: “I’m in good shape as anyone can see and I can’t wait for the first bell.
“My training is going great and my weight is fine. I’m just sharpening up with some good sparring. I’m very confident of bringing the belt home.”
Moran was a top class amateur winning two junior ABA titles, a senior title in 2001 and a Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal year later.
Moran’s co-promoter Steve Wood said: “Mark was a top class amateur and is rapidly developing into a very good professional.
“His punch power is getting better and I believe he will beat Mark, go and dominate at domestic level before moving on to the world stage.”
Booth will be bidding for his second British title having won the British title almost a decade ago..
Other fighters in action include St Helens Prizefighter winner and leading British middleweight title contender Martin Murray (13-0) and former British bantamweight champion Martin Power (19-4).o