Anthony Mundine

Anthony Mundine
Born	Anthony Mundine (1975-05-21) 21 May 1975 Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Other names	The Man, Choc
Statistics
Weight(s)	Super Middleweight Middleweight Light Middleweight
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	48
Wins	44
Wins by KO	26
Losses	4
Draws	0
No contests	0

Anthony Mundine (born 21 May 1975) is an Australian professional boxer and former rugby league footballer.

He is the former interim WBA Light Middleweight Champion boxer, former two-time WBA Super Middleweight Champion, former IBO Middleweight Champion and New South Wales State of Origin representative footballer. Before his move to boxing he was the highest paid player in the NRL. He is the son of boxer Tony Mundine and is a member of the Bundjalung people.

Mundine has had a stormy relationship with the media. His conversion to Islam in 1999, self-promotion and outspoken opinions have created a love-hate relationship with the Australian public and he has been described as "the most polarising athlete in Australian sports history". He was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person of the Year in 2000. He has also won the Deadly Award as Male Sportsperson of the Year in 2003, 2006 and 2007 amongst others. He is the first boxer in history to have had every one of his professional fights broadcast for television and has generated more pay-per-views than any other Australian boxer since he turned professional. Mundine holds notable victories over former world champions Danny Green, Daniel Geale and Bronco McKart.

Rugby league

Anthony Mundine

Personal information
Born	(1975-05-21) 21 May 1975 Newtown, New South Wales , Australia
Playing information
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	73 kg (11 st 7 lb)
Position	Five-eighth, Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1993–96 St. George Dragons 60 30 3 1 127 1997 Brisbane Broncos 11 3 0 0 12 1998 St. George Dragons 23 7 0 1 29 1999–00 St. George Illawarra 33 19 0 0 76 Total 127 59 3 2 244 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1999 New South Wales 3 1 0 0 4
Source: Rugby League Project

Mundine was born in Newtown, in the inner west of Sydney in 1975. Both his parents are indigenous Australians and his mother was part of the Stolen Generation. Mundine played junior rugby league for Hurstville United, and while attending Kingsgrove High School, he played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1993. That year Mundine signed with the St. George Dragons as an eighteen year-old. He has also attended Canterbury Boys' High School and Cleveland Street High School.

In 1994, he represented the Junior Kangaroos, the team that beat Great Britain's under-19s in the curtain-raiser to the Australia v. France Test at Parramatta Stadium.

In 1996, he played in a losing Grand Final, against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. That year he was the victim of racial vilification when league player Barry Ward called Mundine a "black ****". Ward was fined $10,000 for the offense. At the end of that season he announced that he was signing with the Brisbane Broncos in the Super League competition.

In 1997 he played 18 games for the Broncos, scoring three tries. He also played in his first winning Grand Final team, beating the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

In 1998, after turning his back on the Broncos, he returned to the Dragons.

Mundine was selected to play for New South Wales state rugby league team in each of the three matches of the 1999 State of Origin series, scoring a try in Game I. That year he also assisted the Dragons' run to the Grand Final, with a hat-trick against the Sharks in the Major Semi-Final. The following week the Dragons lost to the Melbourne Storm in the 1999 NRL Grand Final during which and Mundine, playing at five-eighth knocked-on over the try line early in the second half, which proved to be a major turning point in the match.

Mundine was disappointed that further representative honours did not follow, and believed that his representative opportunities did not reflect his abilities and achievements at club level. He raised the issue of racism as a possible explanation for this, but this explanation was refuted by another Aboriginal player who represented New South Wales.

Anthony Mundine left rugby league halfway through the 2000 season, after being inspired to go into boxing, when a friend, Abdi Osman, showed him a video of Muhammad Ali. Mundine was intrigued and felt that he could compete comfortably in the world of boxing. He later cited what he claimed was racism in NSW, concerning rugby league, as one of the reasons he quit rugby league to take up boxing.

In 2005 Mundine was reported to be making a comeback to the NRL, but this did not eventuate.

In 2007 Mundine was appointed Indigenous Liaison Officer at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Mundine has close family ties to rugby league: he is a relative of Wes Patten, Amos Roberts, Beau Mundine and Reece Robinson, all NRL footballers. He is also the brother-in-law of Tyran Smith who married Mundine's sister, Kellie.

Boxing career

Mundine was trained by his father, Tony Mundine, who was a middleweight contender during the 1970s. His mother is Lyn Mundine.

Mundine fought his first professional boxing match in July 2000, at the age of 25. After a limited amateur career (he had 4 amateur fights when he was 17), his first professional fight was against New Zealander Gerrard Zohs. Only 10 professional bouts later Mundine fought for his first world title against long reigning IBF supermiddleweight champion Sven Ottke in January 2001. The fight ended suddenly after 10 competitive rounds when Ottke landed a blow to Mundine's temple that left the latter unconscious on the canvas. Despite this dramatic loss, he returned to the ring, promising to fight again for a world title.

Since the WBA and IBF super middleweight titles had been unified by Sven Ottke, Ottke was upgraded to 'super' champion status by the WBA and the WBA super middleweight title was declared vacant (see undisputed champion). Mundine went on to claim the vacant WBA Super Middleweight title with a unanimous points decision over Antwun Echols on 3 September 2003, in front of his home crowd at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. He successfully defended his title once, before losing it in a hesitant performance and split points decision against Manny Siaca.

Mundine failed in his attempt to re-gain the WBA super middleweight title after losing by decision to Mikkel Kessler on 6 August 2005 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Mundine's rivalry with Danny Green

Mundine's biggest Australian rivalry is with Perth-based Danny Green. In 2001, Mundine called Danny Green "a bum" in response to Green using Mundine's name to garner media attention, and stated that Danny would be a "no hoper" against him. Danny Green, waged a consistent media war with Mundine, using the media to build up his own name, and interest in a potential fight with Mundine. The two boxers finally, after much anticipation, fought on 17 May 2006, at Aussie Stadium, Sydney. The bout was one of the most anticipated in Australian boxing history, and was thought to eclipse the attendance record of 37,000 when Jeff Fenech fought Azumah Nelson in their rematch in 1992. The fight was broadcast on Main Event helmed by Michael Schiavello. It was the biggest Pay Per View event in Australian television history. Green became the slight favourite about 2 hours before the bout. Green had little answer to Mundine's speed and jab, giving Mundine the upper hand. Mundine won a twelve-round unanimous decision by the following scores: Judge Michael Lee 116-113, Judge Pinij Prayadsub 118-111, Judge Derek Milham 118-112. There have been discussions of a possible rematch since their first fight.

Mundine vs. Geale

On 27 May 2009, Mundine faced International Boxing Organization middleweight champion Daniel Geale (21-0-13). Mundine won a controversial split decision with two judges scoring it 116-113 and 114-113 in favour of Mundine, the third judge scoring 115-113 for Geale. After the fight, Mundine admitted that he had barely studied Geale prior to the fight.

Mundine vs. Medley

On 11 January 2010, Mundine defended his WBA International Middleweight belt against 'Deadly' Rob Medley. Mundine and Medley were originally scheduled to fight for the vacant IBO Light Middleweight title. Mundine after having a dispute with the IBO refused to make weight, so Medley had to come up a weight division or abandon the fight. Mundine defeated Medley comfortably in their 12 round bout. Despite taking the win, Mundine was unhappy with how close the judges scored the bout (117-113, 117-115 and 117-112). "I knew I was the superior fighter," Mundine said after the fight. "I don't know what the judges were doing. He never hurt me, I wanted to knock him out, but he showed his fitness and preparation."

Mundine vs. Wood I

On 8 December 2010 Mundine took on the winner of The Contender Australia boxing series, Garth Wood. After an awkward first four rounds, consisting of grappling, Mundine was on his way to a wide decision (being ahead 4-0 on the cards). Mundine was knocked out in the 5th round by Wood. Wood was able to land a flush left hook on Mundine's chin, sending him to the canvas. The result was reported to be one of the biggest upsets in Australian boxing history.

Mundine vs. Wood II

On 13 April 2011 Mundine gained revenge for his loss when he defeated Wood in a rematch, via a 10-round unanimous points decision.

Mundine vs. Alvarez

On 19 October 2011 Mundine faced former WBA champion Rigoberto Alvarez for the interim WBA Light Middleweight world title. Mundine won by unanimous decision and as a result will be the mandatory challenger for the full belt holder Austin Trout. Trout was previously in negotiations with Mundine, but when Trout's management put additional options in the contract Mundine's team decided to force the fight through mandatory position enabling a more favourable negotiation. In March 2012 Mundine turned down the opportunity to face Trout as his mandatory, the promotion of the fight went to a purse bid which Mundine did not pursue. The WBA consequently stripped Mundine of his title in May 2012 for failing to meet the obligations for the mandatory fight. It is unclear who Mundine will fight next after signing a short term deal with American promoter Cameron Dunkin.

Mundine vs. McKart

On 14 July 2012 Mundine faced IBF North American middleweight title-holder, American Bronco McKart. It was Mundine's first fight in the United States, with the stated aim being to eventually challenge undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr.. Mundine went on to win the bout by seventh-round TKO. McKart's loss was his first stoppage defeat since 2006, when he lost to Kelly Pavlik, and only his third TKO defeat in 65 fights.

Mundine vs. Geale II

On 30 January, Mundine is due to fight Daniel Geale for the second time, with Geale's IBF title on the line. The bout will be the first time two Australian's have fought for the IBF world middleweight title. The fight has been sought by Mundine as a stepping-stone to his ultimate desire of fighting world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., while Geale is seeking to avenge his only professional career loss - which was to Mundine in 2009. The fight is expected to be the biggest boxing event in Australia since Mundine fought Danny Green in 2006.

Business interests

Mundine is the owner of the sporting brand Boxa (est. 2000) and the Boxa Bar cafe in Hurstville.

Music career

Mundine appeared in the music video of Angry Anderson's 1990 hit song "Bound For Glory". In 2001 Mundine appeared as himself in the music video "Like a Dog" by the Australian rock group Powderfinger, whose frontman Bernard Fanning praised Mundine as "the perfect lead, in terms of what the song is about and the fact that he's prepared to speak up for what he believes in." In 2005 he featured in beatboxer Joel Turner's single "Knock U Out". He then released his own debut single, "Platinum Ryder", which also featured Nathan Merritt and Amos Roberts in the music video. The film clip created controversy for the burning of the Union Jack and a photo of then Prime Minister of Australia John Howard. Mundine also appeared in the Brothablack music video, Are You With Me Out There, along with league player Joe Williams. In 2008 Mundine featured in the video of a GetUp Mob version of the song From Little Things Big Things Grow. In 2009 Mundine also appeared alongside Shannon Noll in the Street Warriors debut album, Unstoppable Force. His album, entitled Dreams is yet to be released.

Other media

In July 2002, both Anthony and his father Tony appeared on an episode of Burke's Backyard with vetern Australian Gardening guru Don Burke. Also in 2002 he appeared with other stars and celebrities in Celebrity Big Brother. In 2003 he was in an episode of Greeks on the Roof and in 2005 he appeared on Dancing with the Stars. From 2007 to 2009 he appeared on The Footy Show. He was in a five hour interactive DVD called Raising Children: A Guide to Parenting from Birth to Five. This DVD also featured Russell Crowe, Danielle Spencer, Neil Perry, Stan Grant and Johanna Griggs. He has also appeared in The Contender Australia three times and been a guest, starring as himself, on the Pizza TV series. In 2010 Mundine was a Special Guest Trainer on The Biggest Loser Australia: Couples 2.

Mundine's portrait by James Hunt, entitled Bora Anthony Mundine, was a notable finalist in the 2002 Archibald Prize.

Mundine is featured as part of the roster on the Fight Night Round 4 and Fight Night Champion video games.

Public controversy

In an interview in October 2001, Mundine said of the 11 September terrorist attacks, "They call it an act of terrorism, but if you can understand religion, and our way of life, it’s not about terrorism. It’s about fighting for God’s law, and America’s brought it upon themselves". Offering some insight into his tendency to make controversial comments in the media, Mundine stated that "If you want to toe the line, if you want to be some corporate guy and say the right things, do the right things, you might be okay in the media's eye, but it won't be real for me." Mundine later claimed he was taken out of context stating: “Those comments were just spun around like I was clapping my hands. I have a family too, I know what it is like to suffer the loss of someone close to me, and I would never wish that upon anyone. The point I was trying to get across was that it was in a war state of mind, and there is always going to be tit for tat, so why put yourself in a situation where you can endanger people. I have got nothing against any American, I have got nothing against any human being. It breaks my heart that people think I would even have that line of thought about being happy about people dying. That is crap and I want to clarify that because it is wrong.

In late 2012, the 37-year-old Mundine questioned Tasmanian Daniel Geale's, the WBA/IBF champion, Indigenous heritage, saying he should not wear the Aboriginal flag on his shorts. "I thought they wiped all the Aborigines from Tasmania out," "He's got a white woman, he's got white kids. I keep it real, all day every day." Mundine said. When asked whether Geale deserved to sport the Aboriginal flag on his trunks, Mundine responded: "No." Mundine later apologized personally to Geale, adding that he felt many people claimed indigenous heritage in order to receive government benefits but had no real connection with their Aboriginal roots. He also stated that the Australian anthem and Australian flag should be changed to be more inclusive of indigenous Australians.

References

Other references

• Anthony Mundine at stateoforigin.com.au
• 5/5/2000 7:30 Report Transcript: Mundine on his boxing future
• "The Paper" on the reaction to Mundine's comments on 9/11
• "Mundine wins bout and gets out quick", Sydney Morning Herald, 11 December 2005
• Walter, Brad "Dragon-heart Mundine is keen to sign", Sydney Morning Herald, 27 April 2005
• Smith, Amanda "Political Football", ABC Radio National, 2 November 2001
• East Side Boxing website
• Danny Green vs Anthony Mundine
• 'The Mouth' Mundine to enter politics, Herald Sun, 11 August 2006 (note: dead link)
• Greens and Labor pick candidates The Glebe, 5 September 2006
• [1]

Further reading

• Mundine, Anthony (2000). The Man. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 0-7329-1044-7, 9780732910440. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links

• Boxing record for Anthony Mundine from BoxRec (registration required)
• Anthony Mundine at IMDb
• His great rival Danny Green http://www.dannygreen.com.au