STOURBRIDGE cruiserweight Rob Norton looks set to lose his Commonwealth belt by rejecting an offer to fight Down Under.

Purse bids for the 37-year-olds title defence against Dominic Vea were won by Core Promotions, who intend to stage the fight at Blacktown RSL Club in New South Wales on May 8.

But Norton (pictured left) looks likely vacate the title because the promoters only seem prepared to offer a five day stay for the fighter and one other person, something manager PJ Rowson described as “unrealistic.”

Rowson said: “We have had no official contact with the promoters but have heard their offer, unless they come up with something better I don’t think we will be going.

“To expect someone to fly 20 hours around the world and fight for a Commonwealth title inside five days is unrealistic, you would need 10 days to acclimatise.

“Then there is the issue of who else he would take? Do you take a trainer, a cut man or your manager?

“It’s looking likely we will now end up vacating the belt.

“That’s not something we want to do but I would never want to put Rob in a dangerous position.”

Instead Rowson is keen for Norton to have a third defence of his British crown which, if successful, would see Norton keep the Lonsdale belt.

Rowson added: “Rob would be a member of a very elite club. It would be an outstanding achievement.

“He has been a great servant to the sport throughout his professional career and I personally would be delighted for him it happens.”