Anthony Mundine
Encyclopedia
Anthony Mundine is an Australia
n professional boxer and former rugby league
footballer.
He is the current 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. He was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person of the Year in 2000. He has also won The Deadlys Award
as Male Sportsperson of the Year in 2003, 2006 and 2007 amongst others.
, in the inner west
of Sydney
in 1975, 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 Grand Final, and Mundine 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 half way 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 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.
, 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
.
-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.
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.
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.
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 Hurstville.
". 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. It is rumoured that Mundine is recording an album with Nathan Merritt called It's an Abo World. His album, entitled Dreams is yet to be released.
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.
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Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n professional boxer and former rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer.
He is the current interim WBA Light Middleweight
Light middleweight
Light Middleweight , is a weight division in professional boxing, above 147 pounds and up to 154 pounds ....
Champion boxer, former two-time WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Super Middleweight
Super middleweight
Super Middleweight is a boxing and Muay Thai weight division that has a weight limit of 168 pounds .- 1960s–1983 :There was interest in a division between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the late 1960s, the mid-1970s, and the early 1980s...
Champion, former IBO
International Boxing Organization
The International Boxing Organization is a for-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships.- Origins :...
Middleweight
Middleweight
Middleweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have begun in the 1840s. In the bare-knuckle era, the first middleweight championship fight was between Tom Chandler and Dooney Harris in 1897...
Champion and New South Wales State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
representative footballer. Before his move to boxing he was the highest paid player in the NRL. He is the son of boxer Tony Mundine
Tony Mundine (boxer)
Anthony "Tony" William Mundine OAM is one of Australia's boxing legends and one of the greatest Indigenous fighters. He held the Australian middleweight, light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight titles and Commonwealth middleweight and Light heavyweight titles and is the only Australian...
and is a member of the Bundjalung people
Bundjalung people
The Bundjalung people are those Australian Aborigines who are the original custodians of northern coastal areas of New South Wales , 554 km northeast of Sydney: an area that includes the Bundjalung National Park and Mount Warning Bundjalung people...
.
Mundine has had a stormy relationship with the media. His conversion to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
in 1999, self-promotion and outspoken opinions have created a love-hate relationship with the Australian public. He was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person of the Year in 2000. He has also won The Deadlys Award
The Deadlys
The Deadlys are an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community. Vibe Australia hosts the awards, which for have been held at the Sydney Opera House since 2001. The first Deadly awards were held in 1995...
as Male Sportsperson of the Year in 2003, 2006 and 2007 amongst others.
Rugby league
Born in NewtownNewtown, New South Wales
Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west is located approximately four kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, straddling the local government areas of the City of Sydney and Marrickville Council in the state of New South Wales, Australia....
, in the inner west
Inner West (Sydney)
The Inner West is a general term which is used to describe the metropolitan area directly to the west of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia...
of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 1975, Mundine played junior rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
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
St. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
as an eighteen year-old. He has also attended Canterbury Boys' High School
Canterbury Boys' High School
Canterbury Boys' High School is a public, secondary, day school for boys, located in Canterbury, a south-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located near the Canterbury Park Racecourse and next to Canterbury Girl's High School.Established in January 1918 as the Canterbury...
and Cleveland Street High School
Cleveland Street Intensive English High School
Cleveland Street Intensive English High School is a High School located in the inner-Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia. The school was founded in 1856, and was a general high school until 1977, when the school was moved to Alexandria and later renamed Alexandria Park...
.
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
Parramatta Stadium
Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
.
In 1996, he played in a losing Grand Final, against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
. That year he was the victim of racial vilification
Racial vilification
Racial vilification is the term in the legislation of Australia that refers to a public act that encourages or incites others to hate people because of their race, nationality, country of origin, colour or ethnic origin...
when league player Barry Ward
Barry Ward
Barry Ward born 13 January 1971 in New South Wales, Australia is a former rugby league player. He played for the Bulldogs, Illawarra Steelers, Sydney Roosters and St Helens as a prop and in the second-row....
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
Super League (Australia) season 1997
The 1997 Super League season was the 90th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the first and only to be run by the News Limited-controlled Super League organisation...
.
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
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
against the Sharks in the Major Semi-Final. The following week the Dragons lost to the Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
in the 1999 Grand Final, and Mundine 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
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
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 half way through the 2000 season, after being inspired to go into boxing, when a friend, Abdi Osman, showed him a video of Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
. 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
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
.
Mundine has close family ties to rugby league: he is a relative of Amos Roberts
Amos Roberts
Amos Roberts is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for English club Wigan Warriors of Super League. A country New South Wales representative prolific try-scoring back, he previously played in Australasia's National Rugby League for the St...
, Beau Mundine
Beau Mundine
Beau Mundine is an Australian minor-league rugby league footballer. He has played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is in the centres....
and Reece Robinson
Reece Robinson
Reece Robinson is an Australian professional rugby league player. He primarily plays on the wing. Robinson plays for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League , and is a current Lebanon national rugby league team member....
, all NRL footballers. He is also the brother-in-law of Tyran Smith
Tyran Smith
Tyran Carl Smith is a former New Zealand rugby league player. He now works as a player agent.-Playing career:During his long career he played in the NSWRL Premiership, Australian Rugby League, Super League and finally the National Rugby League...
who married Mundine's sister, Kellie.
Boxing career
Mundine was trained by his father, Tony MundineTony Mundine (boxer)
Anthony "Tony" William Mundine OAM is one of Australia's boxing legends and one of the greatest Indigenous fighters. He held the Australian middleweight, light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight titles and Commonwealth middleweight and Light heavyweight titles and is the only Australian...
, 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
Sven Ottke
Sven Ottke, known as "The Phantom", is a German former professional boxer who was the IBF/WBA super middleweight champion...
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
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
and IBF
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
super middleweight titles had been unified by Sven Ottke, Ottke was upgraded to 'super' champion status by the WBA and the WBA super middleweight
Super middleweight
Super Middleweight is a boxing and Muay Thai weight division that has a weight limit of 168 pounds .- 1960s–1983 :There was interest in a division between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the late 1960s, the mid-1970s, and the early 1980s...
title was declared vacant (see undisputed champion
Undisputed Champion
In professional boxing, the undisputed champion of a weight class is a boxer who is recognized as the world champion at that class by each boxing organization.-History:...
). Mundine went on to claim the vacant WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Super Middleweight
Super middleweight
Super Middleweight is a boxing and Muay Thai weight division that has a weight limit of 168 pounds .- 1960s–1983 :There was interest in a division between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the late 1960s, the mid-1970s, and the early 1980s...
title with a unanimous points decision over Antwun Echols
Antwun Echols
Antwun Echols is an American boxer. Although he has been a perennial contender in the Middleweight division, Echols has never captured a major title.-Career:...
on 3 September 2003, in front of his home crowd at the Sydney Entertainment Centre
Sydney Entertainment Centre
The Sydney Entertainment Centre is a multi-purpose venue, located in Haymarket, Sydney, Australia. It opened in May 1983, to replace Sydney Stadium, which had been demolished to make way for a new railway. The centre is currently owned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, which administers...
. He successfully defended his title once, before losing it in a hesitant performance and split points decision against Manny Siaca
Manny Siaca
Manuel Alejandro Siaca, born , is a Puerto Rican boxer at super middleweight.Siaca was born in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. He turned pro in 1997 and challenged Bruno Girard in 2000 for the WBA Super Middleweight Title, but lost a split decision...
.
Mundine failed in his attempt to re-gain the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
super middleweight title after losing by decision to Mikkel Kessler
Mikkel Kessler
Mikkel Kessler is a Danish professional boxer and former two time WBA & WBC Super Middleweight champion. In his professional career he has a record of 44–2 with 33 knockouts...
on 6 August 2005 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre
Sydney Entertainment Centre
The Sydney Entertainment Centre is a multi-purpose venue, located in Haymarket, Sydney, Australia. It opened in May 1983, to replace Sydney Stadium, which had been demolished to make way for a new railway. The centre is currently owned by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, which administers...
.
Mundine's rivalry with Danny Green
Mundine's biggest Australian rivalry is with PerthPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
-based Danny Green
Danny Green
Daniel "Danny" Green is an Australian professional boxer and the former IBO cruiserweight champion.- Amateur boxing career and the Olympics :...
. 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
Aussie Stadium
Sydney Football Stadium is located in Moore Park, in Sydney, New South Wales. It was built in 1988, to be the city's premier "rectangular field" for rugby league, rugby union and football for major matches and domestic competition...
, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. 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
Jeff Fenech
Jeff Fenech is a retired Australian boxer and a three-time world champion who is now a boxing trainer.-Boxing career:...
fought Azumah Nelson
Azumah Nelson
Azumah Nelson , a native of Ghana, is a former professional boxer. He is a three-time world champion in two weight classes.Nelson is the former Lineal and two-time WBC Super Featherweight Champion...
in their rematch in 1992. The fight was broadcast on Main Event
Main Event
Main Event is Australia's only pay-per-view channel. It transmits through Foxtel, Optus Television and Austar, which jointly own the channel...
helmed by Michael Schiavello
Michael Schiavello
Michael Schiavello is an Australian sports commentator for K-1, Dream, Maximum Fighting Championship, King of the Cage and The Contender Asia. He has also written for more than 50 publications worldwide and was the long-serving editor of Blitz Magazine, and was also the editor of International...
. 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 OrganizationInternational Boxing Organization
The International Boxing Organization is a for-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships.- Origins :...
middleweight champion Daniel Geale
Daniel Geale
Daniel Geale is a middleweight boxer and current IBF middleweight champion from Australia, who won the gold medal in the men's welterweight division at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, United Kingdom.-Amateur career:Other than winning the 2002 2002 Commonwealth Games at welterweight,...
(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.
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 AustraliaThe Contender Australia
The Contender Australia is a reality television show based on the sport of boxing, but with an added element of insight into the competitor's lives and relationships with each other within the show's living quarters. The series was filmed in Sydney, Australia and was first aired on Australian...
boxing series, Garth Wood
Garth Wood
Garth Wood is an Australian professional boxer and former professional rugby league player. Wood won the 2009/2010 Contender Boxing Series...
. 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 19th October 2011 Mundine faced former WBA champion Rigoberto AlvarezRigoberto Álvarez
Rigoberto Álvarez Barragán , is a Mexican Boxer in the Light Middleweight division...
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
Austin Trout
Austin Trout is an undefeated professional boxer and the current WBA light middleweight champion.-Amateur career:In 2004 Austin was the U.S...
.
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.
Business interests
Mundine is the owner of the sporting brand Boxa (est. 2000) and the Boxa Bar cafeCafé
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
in Hurstville.
Music career
Mundine appeared in the music video of Angry Anderson's 1990 hit song "Bound For GloryBound for Glory (1990 song)
"Bound For Glory" is a song that was released in 1990 by Angry Anderson. It soon became very successful in Australia.-AFL Anthem:The song was featured in a range of advertisements, was named the unofficial anthem of the AFL and performed at the 1991 AFL Grand Final at Waverly Park...
". In 2001 Mundine appeared as himself in the music video "Like a Dog" by the Australian rock group Powderfinger
Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
, whose frontman Bernard Fanning
Bernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
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
Joel Turner (musician)
Joel Turner is an Australian beatboxer, singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer best known for the Australian hit song "These Kids". As a beatboxer, he is recognised for his raw power, deep bass, and trademark sounds such as his "third voice", cowbell, teeth beats and bass guitar...
's single "Knock U Out
Knock U Out
"Knock U Out" is the second single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled album Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. It features a guest appearance by boxer Anthony Mundine....
". He then released his own debut single, "Platinum Ryder", which also featured Nathan Merritt
Nathan Merritt
Nathan Merritt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League. He has also previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His position of choice is either on the wing or at fullback. Merritt is an Indigenous Australian who...
and Amos Roberts
Amos Roberts
Amos Roberts is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for English club Wigan Warriors of Super League. A country New South Wales representative prolific try-scoring back, he previously played in Australasia's National Rugby League for the St...
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
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
. Mundine also appeared in the Brothablack
Brothablack
Shannon Narrun Williams, known as Brothablack, is a Sydney-based Indigenous Hip Hop performer.Brothablack was a founding member of Deadly award winning group South West Syndicate...
music video, Are You With Me Out There, along with league player Joe Williams
Joe Williams (rugby league)
Joe Williams , an Indigenous Australian, is now a professional boxer following a brief career in rugby league. He was formally a footballer with the Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League competition...
. 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
Shannon Noll
Shannon Noll first came to prominence as runner-up of the first series of Australian Idol which led to him being signed to Sony BMG. Since then he has released five Top 10 albums and ten Top 10 singles. His first two albums That's What I'm Talking About in 2004 and Lift in 2005 debuted at No...
in the Street Warriors
Street Warriors
Street Warriors are an Australian hip hop group. The group is made up of brothers Abie and Warwick Wright from Local Knowledge. They perform in both English and the Awabakal language...
debut album, Unstoppable Force. It is rumoured that Mundine is recording an album with Nathan Merritt called It's an Abo World. His album, entitled Dreams is yet to be released.
Other media
In July 2002, both Anthony and his father TonyTony Mundine
Tony Mundine may refer to:* Tony Mundine * Anthony Mundine, his son, boxer and former rugby league player with the St George Illawarra Dragons...
appeared on an episode of Burke's Backyard
Burke's Backyard
Burke's Backyard is an Australian gardening and lifestyle program, broadcast on both radio and television. On television, it was a regular weekly series on the Nine Network from 1987 to 2004.- History :...
with vetern Australian Gardening guru Don Burke
Don Burke
Donald William "Don" Burke OAM is an Australian television personality and author. He is best known as the long time host of Burke's Backyard, a lifestyle program which ran for 17 years from 1987 to late 2004 on the Nine Network. It has returned several times over recent years with a number of...
.
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
Greeks on the Roof
Greeks on the Roof was an Australian television talk show that ran for 11 episodes on the Seven Network in 2003. It was hosted by Greek-Australian character Effie and her "family"....
and in 2005 he appeared on Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)
Dancing with the Stars is a Logie Award-winning, Australian light entertainment reality show airing on the Seven Network and filmed live from the HSV-7 studios in Melbourne...
.
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
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
, Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer
Danielle Spencer may refer to:*Danielle Spencer , African-American performer who has been acting since early childhood; at age 11 became familiar to TV audiences as sarcastic Dee Thomas on 1976–79 ABC sitcom What's Happening!!*Danielle Spencer , songwriter and recording artist who, during 1990s...
, Neil Perry
Neil Perry
Neil Arthur Perry is a prominent Australian chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. He also is the co-ordinator for Qantas Flight Catering under his company Rockpool Consulting and has a food brand sold under his name, available at Woolworths Supermarkets.Perry co-owns and is...
, Stan Grant
Stan Grant
Stan Grant may refer to:*Stan Grant , , Australian journalist*Stan Grant , elder of the Wiradjuri tribe of Indigenous Australians...
and Johanna Griggs
Johanna Griggs
Johanna Leigh Griggs is a former swimmer and current television presenter from Australia.-Swimming career:Griggs represented Australia at the Auckland Commonwealth Games in 1990—winning a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke event....
. He has also appeared in The Contender Australia
The Contender Australia
The Contender Australia is a reality television show based on the sport of boxing, but with an added element of insight into the competitor's lives and relationships with each other within the show's living quarters. The series was filmed in Sydney, Australia and was first aired on Australian...
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
Archibald Prize
The Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize in Australia. It was first awarded in 1921 after a bequest from J. F. Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin who died in 1919...
.
Mundine is featured as part of the roster on the Fight Night Round 4
Fight Night Round 4
Fight Night Round 4 garnered positive reaction from critics for its strategic gameplay and strong multiplayer component. The PlayStation 3 version received an 87.89% and an 88% from review aggregate websites GameRankings and MetaCritic respectively...
and Fight Night Champion
Fight Night Champion
Fight Night Champion is a boxing video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. It is the fifth entry in the Fight Night series and was released on March 1, 2011 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360...
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."Professional boxing record
| Date | Result | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| 19/10/2011 | Win | Rigoberto Alvarez Rigoberto Álvarez Rigoberto Álvarez Barragán , is a Mexican Boxer in the Light Middleweight division... |
UD | 12 | Entertainment Centre, Newcastle | Won the interim WBA Light Middleweight Title | |
| 05/06/2011 | Win | Xavier Toliver | TKO (Towel thrown in) | 7 | Henderson, New Zealand | ||
| 13/04/2011 | Win | Garth Wood Garth Wood Garth Wood is an Australian professional boxer and former professional rugby league player. Wood won the 2009/2010 Contender Boxing Series... |
Decision (Unanimous) | 10 | Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia | ||
| 08/12/2010 | Loss | Garth Wood Garth Wood Garth Wood is an Australian professional boxer and former professional rugby league player. Wood won the 2009/2010 Contender Boxing Series... |
KO | 5 | 0:58 | Acer Arena, Sydney, NSW, Australia | |
| 15/09/2010 | Win | Ryan Waters | TKO | 10 | 0:24 | Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW, Australia | |
| 30/06/2010 | Win | Carlos Jerez | Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia | ||
| 11/1/2010 | Win | Robert Medley | Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia | ||
| 21/10/2009 | Win | Alejandro Gustavo Falliga | Decision (Unanimous) | 10 | Prospect, Tasmania, Australia | ||
| 27/05/2009 | Win | Daniel Geale Daniel Geale Daniel Geale is a middleweight boxer and current IBF middleweight champion from Australia, who won the gold medal in the men's welterweight division at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, United Kingdom.-Amateur career:Other than winning the 2002 2002 Commonwealth Games at welterweight,... |
Decision (Split) | 12 | Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Won IBO International Boxing Organization The International Boxing Organization is a for-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships.- Origins :... Middleweight Title |
|
| 11/02/2009 | Win | Shannon Taylor | Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | Wollongong, NSW, Australia | Won Vacant WBA World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962... International Middleweight Title |
|
| 11/12/2008 | Win | Rafael Sosa Pintos | Decision (Unanimous) | 10 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | First fight at Middleweight | |
| 30/07/2008 | Win | Crazy Kim | Decision (Unanimous) | 10 | Newcastle, NSW, Australia | >- | |
| 28/05/2008 | Win | Sam Soliman Sam Soliman Sam Soliman is an Australian boxer of Coptic Egyptian descent. Soliman began his boxing career after studying multiple forms of martial arts, such as Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kick-Boxing.-Amateur Boxing Career:... |
Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | Defended WBA Super Middleweight Championship | |
| 27/02/2008 | Win | Nader Hamdan | Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | Defended WBA Super Middleweight Championship | |
| 10/12/2007 | Win | Jose Alberto Clavero | Knockout | 4 | 2:14 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | Defended WBA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 27/06/2007 | Win | Pablo Daniel Zamora Nievas | Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | 3:00 | Broad Beach, QLD, Australia | Defended WBA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 07/03/2007 | Win | Sam Soliman Sam Soliman Sam Soliman is an Australian boxer of Coptic Egyptian descent. Soliman began his boxing career after studying multiple forms of martial arts, such as Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kick-Boxing.-Amateur Boxing Career:... |
Knockout | 9 | 2:26 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | Won vacant WBA Super Middleweight Championship. Note: This title is a secondary title as Mikkel Kessler was the reigning WBA 'Super Champion' at the time. |
| 15/11/2006 | Win | Ruben Eduardo Acosta Ruben Eduardo Acosta Ruben Edaurdo Acosta is an Argentina boxer. He is the current South American Super middleweight champion.-Biography:... |
Knockout | 4 | 1:41 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | |
| 17/05/2006 | Win | Danny Green Danny Green Daniel "Danny" Green is an Australian professional boxer and the former IBO cruiserweight champion.- Amateur boxing career and the Olympics :... |
Decision (unanimous) | 12 | 3:00 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | WBA Super Middleweight Championship Eliminator |
| 11/12/2005 | Win | Rico Chong Nee | Technical Knockout | 3 | 3:00 | Perth, WA, Australia | |
| 07/09/2005 | Win | Rashid Matumla | Technical Knockout | 6 | 0:36 | Canberra, ACT, Australia | |
| 08/06/2005 | Loss | Mikkel Kessler Mikkel Kessler Mikkel Kessler is a Danish professional boxer and former two time WBA & WBC Super Middleweight champion. In his professional career he has a record of 44–2 with 33 knockouts... |
Unanimous Decision | 12 | 3:00 | Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | For WBA super middleweight title |
| 2/2/2005 | Win | Darmel Castillo | Technical Knockout | 4 | 2:31 | Broadbeach, QLD, Australia | |
| 13/10/2004 | Win | Juarne Dowling | Technical Knockout | 3 | 2:19 | Carrara, QLD, Australia | |
| 08/09/2004 | Win | Sean Sullivan | Technical Knockout | 10 | 0:47 | Liverpool, NSW, Australia | |
| 5/5/2004 | Loss | Manny Siaca Manny Siaca Manuel Alejandro Siaca, born , is a Puerto Rican boxer at super middleweight.Siaca was born in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. He turned pro in 1997 and challenged Bruno Girard in 2000 for the WBA Super Middleweight Title, but lost a split decision... |
Decision (Split) | 12 | 3:00 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | Lost WBA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 19/01/2004 | Win | Yoshinori Nishizawa | Technical Knockout | 5 | 0:43 | Wollongong, NSW, Australia | Defended WBA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 09/03/2003 | Win | Antwun Echols Antwun Echols Antwun Echols is an American boxer. Although he has been a perennial contender in the Middleweight division, Echols has never captured a major title.-Career:... |
Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | 3:00 | Sydney, NSW, Australia | Won vacant WBA Super Middleweight Championship. Note: This title is a secondary title as Sven Ottke was the reigning WBA 'Super Champion' at the time. |
| 17/03/2003 | Win | Rogerio Cacciatore | Technical Knockout | 1 | ? | Carrara, QLD, Australia | |
| 01/02/2003 | Win | Sean Sullivan Sean Sullivan (boxer) Sean Sullivan is a professional boxer from New Zealand. He was ranked as the world's seventh best welterweight by the WBA and the IBF. Sullivan has held national titles in six weight divisions in New Zealand... |
Decision (Unanimous) | 12 | 3:00 | Auckland, New Zealand | Defended WBA Fedelatin Super Middleweight Title, Defended WBA Pan African Super Middleweight Title, Defended PABA Super Middleweight Title |
| 02/11/2002 | Win | Rick Thornberry | Technical Knockout | 11 | ? | Carrara, QLD, Australia | Won WBA Fedelatin Super Middleweight Title, Defended WBA Pan African Super Middleweight Title, Defended PABA Super Middleweight Title |
| 02/09/2002 | Win | Soon Botes | Knockout | 3 | ? | Liverpool, NSW, Australia | Won WBA Pan African Super Middleweight Championship, Defended PABA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 15/07/2002 | Win | Lester Ellis Lester Ellis Lester Ellis is a boxer, who lives in Melbourne, Australia. He was world boxing champion in 1985 winning the IBF super lightweight world title and also won the WBF Welterweight division 1993, IBO Light Welterweight division in 1994, IBO Lightweight division in 1995.Ellis earned early success as... |
Technical Knockout | 3 | 2:04 | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | |
| 03/06/2002 | Win | Darren Obah | Technical Knockout | 6 | ? | Liverpool, NSW, Australia | Defended PABA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 01/04/2002 | Win | Roland Francis | Technical Knockout | 8 | ? | Carrara, QLD, Australia | Won PABA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 04/03/2002 | Win | Brad Mayo | Decision (Unanimous) | 10 | 3:00 | Townsville, QLD, Australia | |
| 01/12/2001 | Loss | Sven Ottke Sven Ottke Sven Ottke, known as "The Phantom", is a German former professional boxer who was the IBF/WBA super middleweight champion... |
Knockout | 10 | ? | Arena Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany | Lost IBF Pan Pacific Super Middleweight Championship, For IBF super middleweight title |
| 20/10/2001 | Win | Guy Waters | Knockout | 2 | ? | Sydney, NSW, Australia | Defended IBF Pan Pacific Super Middleweight Championship |
| 03/09/2001 | Win | Sam Soliman Sam Soliman Sam Soliman is an Australian boxer of Coptic Egyptian descent. Soliman began his boxing career after studying multiple forms of martial arts, such as Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kick-Boxing.-Amateur Boxing Career:... |
Decision (Split) | 12 | 3:00 | Wollongong, NSW, Australia | Won IBF Pan Pacific Super Middleweight Championship |
| 10/07/2001 | Win | Kevin Pompey | Technical Knockout | 3 | 0:57 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| 18/06/2001 | Win | Mike Makata | Technical Knockout | 5 | ? | Liverpool, NSW, Australia | Defended PABA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 16/04/2001 | Win | Timo Masua | Knockout | 3 | ? | Carrara, QLD, Australia | Won PABA Super Middleweight Championship |
| 19/02/2001 | Win | Marc Bargero | Technical Knockout | 6 | ? | Gosford, NSW, Australia | Won Australian Super Middleweight Championship |
| 11/12/2000 | Win | Ian McLeod | Technical Knockout | 9 | ? | Wollongong, NSW, Australia | Fight Stopped On Cut |
| 30/10/2000 | Win | Heath Stenton | Decision (Unanimous) | 8 | 3:00 | Melbourne, VIC, Australia | |
| 04/09/2000 | Win | Nik Taumafai | Technical Knockout | 6 | ? | Sydney, NSW, Australia | |
| 03/07/2000 | Win | Gerrard Zohs | Knockout | 4 | ? | Sydney, NSW, Australia | Professional Boxing Debut |
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
- http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=177&objectid=10421636
External links
- His great rival Danny Green http://www.dannygreen.com.au
- Anthony Mundine Poem
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