Shane Cameron eyes Aussie bash

Photo: Lawrence Smith

Shane Cameron after his loss to David Tua.

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Kiwi heavyweight boxer Shane Cameron is expected to resurrect his career with a fight in Melbourne early next year.

The Mountain Warrior has been keeping a low profile since being pummelled by rival David Tua early in the October 3 fight.

Cameron is serving a mandatory three-month stand-down period due to the knockout, meaning he isn't able to fight professionally until at least January 3.

He and his manager Ken Reinsfield travelled to Melbourne last week to discuss plans for his next bout and it's expected an announcement will be made by Christmas.

"We've spent a bit of time in Melbourne," Reinsfield confirmed yesterday.

"It was a good trip. We aren't looking to base ourselves over there – I will make that clear.

"Shane is a New Zealand fighter and that will always be the case.

"We simply went across to look at the possibility of Shane fighting in Melbourne early next year."

Cameron has returned to training but will go under the knife on Tuesday to have plates removed from his troublesome right hand.

His recovery is not expected to keep him sidelined once his stand-down period comes to an end.

"After the fight with Tua, Shane was given a stand-down period of three months but that hasn't stopped him from training," said Reinsfield.

"He's back in the gym and lifting weights.

"The people we met in Melbourne are really excited about the possibility of Shane fighting over there and I think it would be a good thing for him too.

"It would be a nice bit of change in the new year and would be his first fight since the Tua fight.

"We had always planned to have some plates in Shane's hand removed after the Tua fight and they will be coming out this Tuesday.

"It is not a major operation and after he has recovered he will be back on the horse and into full training."

Reinsfield said no opponent had yet been decided for Cameron should his bout in Melbourne get the go-ahead.

Ironically, Tua's much-publicised return to the ring could now take place after Cameron's.

Speculation had been rife the star heavyweight had been locked in to fight in Hawaii on January 23.

But his worldwide promoter Cedric Kushner yesterday said it was unlikely Tua would glove up again until at least February due to difficulties in finding a suitable venue for the fight.

- © Fairfax NZ News