However, two other possible opponents are James Toney, the former American world champion who asked for his gun after a vicious spar with Aussie champion Danny Green in Los Angeles, or Tommy Morrison, the one-time WBO champion who starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rocky V .

While Hopoate said he would fight anyone - except his best friend and highly rated fellow heavyweight Solomon Haumono because "brothers don't fight" - he admitted his inexperience did concern him.

"I have no fear," he said of fighting. "But I am inexperienced … I haven't had much time in the ring. But I am fighting for my family. I have no fear fighting, my only fear is inexperience."

He is scheduled to fight highly rated Kiwi Shane Cameron next year, and while it already promises to be pay-TV bonanza, the added prize of a world title belt would only enhance the event.

However, Australian boxing authorities have rained on Hopoate's parade, ordering him to meet Mirovic in a rematch or risk being stripped of his title. Mirovic, who broke his arm in the fight, successfully argued his effort was impeded when he was injured early in the bout after being thrown to the ground.

Hopoate is furious at the finding because he fears he'll seriously injure Mirovic if they fight again.

He is considering relinquishing his crown to allow Haumono a shot at the belt and a chance to establish himself as a world-class heavyweight.

"I don't think there is anything to gain by fighting Bob again," he said. "He's saying he broke his arm because I threw him to the ground, but his arm hit the ropes.

"He was clutching at straws because he wanted a rematch … he'd never had as much publicity in his career than he's received from fighting me.

"I don't want the fight to happen. He won't last more than two rounds, and I don't want to see him hurt.

"I feel like I should give the title up and let Solomon bash him, so we can both say we won the Australian title."