Boxing: Bugner keen on showdown with Foreman

George Foreman wants to fight in Australia and there is a heavyweight in Australia - one Joe Bugner - who wants to fight Foreman.

Bugner, who is, at 46, the Pan Asian Boxing Association heavyweight champion, said yesterday that he is keen to challenge Foreman for the lightly regarded World Boxing Union heavyweight title.

The American promoter Ron Weathers said earlier this week that he wanted to stage a fight between Foreman and his fellow American Tommy Morrison in Australia early next year.

The Australian National Boxing Federation president, Derek Milham, said that fight cannot happen because of Morrison's HIV positive status.

"If he wants to fight in my country it should be against me," Bugner said. The former British, Commonwealth and European champion has lived in Australia for the past decade. "The only logical opponent for Foreman is me. Big George has been avoiding me for 20 years and it's time we got it on."

Foreman, 47, outpointed his fellow American Crawford Grimsley in Japan last weekend to retain his WBU and International Boxing Association titles.

Bugner, who in his prime twice lasted the distance with Muhammad Ali, last fought in July when he knocked out Young Haumono, of New Zealand, to win the PABA title.

"Foreman and I are the last two champs from the golden era of heavyweight boxing. I believe that this is the fight that most people want," Bugner said.