The only thing that will stop me is
my dad - Mundine

A knockout blow looms for former boxing world champion Anthony Mundine - from his father Tony.

Just hours after losing his WBA super middleweight bout to Mikkel Kessler, Anthony Mundine admitted his dad stood in the way of a highly anticipated rugby league comeback.

Mundine is expected to make a decision on his league future in the next 48 hours - but only after discussing it at length with his trainer, confidante and dad Tony.

The mood at Tony's birthday party in Sydney could be lifted further if Mundine is given the green light to play the rest of the NRL season, most likely with the New Zealand Warriors.

The Sydney Roosters are also reportedly interested in Mundine despite the former St George Illawarra pivot's pledge to play league only in 2005.

There are only 13 of the season's 26 regular season rounds left.

"I will have a bit of a break and sit down maybe in the next one or two days and see what my dad's thoughts are and of my team," Mundine said.

"I always want to keep my boxing career but my dad wants to talk to me about my rugby league, hopefully he doesn't give me an ultimatum.

"But I'll talk about it with my dad and my team and we'll go from there."

When asked if he was still keen to play league this year, Mundine said: "I'm a man of my word...but the only thing that will stop me is my dad.

"You've got to listen to your daddy."

Mundine didn't sound like a man who would give up boxing after his points decision loss to Kessler.

"I didn't get the outcome but hopefully I can do it again.

"I'll bounce back because I am a champion, but I'll see what opportunities arise."

But juggling league and boxing sounded alarm bells for Roy Jones Snr, father of one of the greatest boxers of all-time, who helped prepare Mundine for the fight.

He said Mundine had been "distracted" by league talks before the fight.

"You are already aware of some of his distractions, he can't focus. He can't give it his all because of the distractions," he said.

"If you spread yourself thin, if you concentrate on two different things ...it will split your endurance capabilities.

"(But) Maybe he can do it (juggle sports). Who am I to say what he can or can't do."

The Warriors loomed as the leading contender for Mundine's signature tonight after Canberra closed the door on the former NSW Origin player.

"Our stance hasn't changed since before the fight, we are awaiting a decision from Anthony Mundine," a Warriors spokesman said.

"It's up to him now, we've stepped back from it - it will take its course."

Raiders CEO Simon Hawkins said: "We haven't had discussions with him, but being at the back end of the season it wouldn't be appropriate (to sign him this season).

Asked if Canberra would be interested if Mundine wanted to play for longer than just 2005, Hawkins said: "I think we are looking at going down a different path."

Roosters CEO Brian Canavan said the club's priorities were retaining Queensland Origin stars Chris Flannery and Michael Crocker.

The latter is expected to begin talks soon with Melbourne but the pair will also reportedly be offered as a "one year package deal" to an English Super League club in order to play for the Gold Coast from 2007.

Their manager Jim Banaghan is currently overseas but will return to Australia on Friday.