Boxer Rendell Munroe may make surprise title defence

Rendall Munroe could have another fight before targeting world honours.

Promoter Frank Maloney has made a shock offer for Bernard Dunne to challenge for the Leicester fighter's European super-bantamweight title.

Munroe secured a shot at WBC world champion Toshiaki Nishioka with last week's thrilling points win over Simone Maludrottu, but Maloney feels there is unfinished business with Dunne.

Dunne lost his European title in just 86 seconds to Kiko Martinez, who was later twice beaten by Munroe.

A fight between the pair has been mooted for a while and Dunne may need the fight after losing his WBA 8st 10lbs belt to Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym.

The offer to fight Dunne is puzzling because Munroe has so much to lose and the Dubliner everything to gain.

But the exchanges between Maloney and Dunne's promoter, Brian Peters, have been heated and Munroe's camp are confident he will keep his belt.

Maloney said: "We made a fantastic offer for Bernard to face Munroe last year and I never heard a word from Dunne's camp. I am now willing to make them another offer to face Munroe early next year if they are brave enough to step forward.

"All his manager, Brian Peters, has to do is call and let's see if he is up for the challenge, but somehow I doubt it.

"People might think I'm crazy to want the match, but Rendall could do with a knock-out before facing Nishioka."

Maloney has also hit back at the internet critics who have taken a swipe at Munroe.

Some reporters have claimed he is not a world-class performer and that Dunne would take away his European title.

Maloney said: "It is unfair on Rendall, but he has got big shoulders and just laughs off the criticism from people.

"I do get angry because he has made five defences and beaten two mandatory challengers who are world-class, Kiko Martinez and Maludrottu.

"Martinez was unbeaten in 17 when Rendall beat him for the first time. Maludrottu is a top-drawer boxer, made six defences of the European bantamweight title and lasted 12 rounds in a world title challenge in Japan.

"Rendall is one of the strongest super-bantamweights in the world and a top-class pressure fighter."