ANTHONY Mundine versus Danny Green now appears certain to go ahead early next year, and there is even a push to stage the showpiece rematch on Australia Day. 
Mundine is keen to lock in the -historic date in a bid to highlight the message that as far as many -indigenous people are concerned, the -national holiday is considered a day of mourning.
However, promoters will be concerned by the abundance of sport -already on Australia Day. Cricket and the Australian Open tennis are always high-rating events.
Details of the bout are expected to be finalised within a month. And even if the Australia Day proposal is abandoned, the fight is likely to go ahead early next year.
It's now 10 years since Mundine beat Green in front of 30,000 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
But Mundine admits the rematch will be one of the great tests of his -career when the former rugby league star goes up in weight to meet Green.
The 41-year-old is happy to fight Green on any date in the new year, but admits Australia Day would capture the nation's attention.
"He wants that redemption, believe me," Mundine said.
"He wants it as bad as I want to win. I've got to make sure I'm on my A-game ... 100 per cent, I would love that date (Australia Day)."That'll definitely get the whole country involved. If we can do that, why wouldn't we do that?"