Australia’s Mick Fanning has created history overnight at the J-Bay Open in South Africa by defeating a shark for the World Waterweight Title.
It is a landmark for humans worldwide, with Fanning the first human to hold the title despite being shockingly underweight at the weigh in.
The shark, with a near two-ton advantage on the Aussie, fought under the moniker of White ‘The Bull’ Pointer, and attempted to sneak attack the bronzed Aussie in the middle of a WSL event.
Fanning was much too crafty to be taken advantage of, however, having the shark on the leg ropes for much of the contest. A coward punch right to the back was the finishing blow. The state of the former champion is not known, although he refused attempts to contact him, and was believed to have skulked off to the watery depths.
FANNING FIGHTS OFF MENACING INVADER FROM THE DEEP
The victory in the short but savage bout has instilled a real confidence into the three-time surfing world champ, who is looking to make his skills as a pugilist pay the bills.
First on the list is Floyd Mayweather.
The Roar has exclusively obtained an open letter to Mayweather, surprisingly free of appalling spelling and grammar mistakes. Fanning calls out the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, saying that while he may have beaten a video game character, but he could never defeat a shark.
“Floyd, you might not know who I am, but I was the bloke who took on a shark and won. Like one with big teeth. And a dorsal fin. No, don’t ask me what type of shark it was. All I know is I smacked his butt all around the joint.
“I will do the same when we take to the ring later this year, should you be man enough to accept my challenge.”
Fanning argues that, by extension, he has earned a title-shot at Mayweather with all titles on the line, with the bout to be contested in a neutral, jelly-like substance.
“What’s Amir Khan done? What’s Anthony Mundine done, aside from being the greatest athlete in the history of the universe?
“I offer you something they could never, a title won in the life-and-death environment of shark fighting.
“Use of teeth is optional, and I’m as flexible as cartilage in my negotiations with fellow men of the fist.”
Ambiguously retired Australian boxer Danny Green has thrown his support behind Fanning, telling his Facebook fans that Fanning is a “NATIONAL TREASURE.” (his emphasis, not ours)
I am still GOBSMACKED!!! Mick Fanning said he ‘punched it in the back!!!’ when being interviewed!!! I could not believe what I saw, captured on live TV on Foxtel !!!
Soooooooooo stoked your ok legend, your a NATIONAL TREASURE Eugene Fanning!! Hope my punches keep Kovacs from eating me up on the 19th!!!
#mickfanningbeatswhitepointer #holyshit #hopefullythisthinsoutthecrowds
This new stance from Green appears to go against his very public stand against the coward punch, with Fanning openly admitting he took advantage of the shark facing up and giving him a swift one in the back to close things out.
‘Poor shark,’ you might think. Apparently not, if Green is to be believed.
Green’s stance on coward punching is yet to be clarified, but we expect a statement will appear on his Facebook wall soon.
This kind of opportunistic fighting skill is likely to serve Fanning well against Mayweather, who is known as a man who just loves to punch, whether it’s in the ring or in the home.
UPDATE: The shark speaks
White ‘The Bull’ Pointer has finally released a public statement, denying there ever was a bout. This is yet to be ratified by the World Water Boxing Association.
Source: Facebook
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