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I have already written what I consider to be Anthony Mundine’s top ten fights, so I thought I would do a list for his 2017 opponent Danny Green.
As I am a huge Green fan and have always considered him as the “Good guy” of Aussie boxing, so it’s time for a trip down memory lane.
Green has been responsible for bringing some of the best fighters to Australia. Roy Jones Jr and Antonio Tarver among many others have come to our shores, and he is one half of the biggest fight in Australian history, so there’s no doubting the Green Machine’s legacy.
10. Kane Watts – 2016 – Australia Cruiserweight Title
We start with his most recent fight, with his victory over Kane Watts. Even though he was 43 years of age, Green proved that he can still overcome a younger stronger and heavier man.
Even though Watts is a plumber and a part time boxer, he still was able to trouble Green in parts of the fight. But Green’s experience would overcome and Danny would take the win by points decision at the end of proceedings.
He would say that this fight was a warning to Mundine as what will happen to him if they were to ever have a rematch. We only have to wait until February 2017, with Green the heavy favourite.
9. Shane Cameron – 2012 – IBO Cruiserweight Title
After his devasting loss to Antonio Tarver, with the American being stripped of the title for failing a drug test after, Green was back into the mix to regain his title against Kiwi Shane Cameron. The fight was built as the Tras-Tasman fight for the world title.
As Cameron would have to cut down a lot of weight, being a natural heavyweight, Green dominated for the start and he no problem taking him out the win to regain his IBO title. However, Green would vacant the title and not defend it again. He would be a two-time IBO Cruiserweight Champion.
8. Eric Lucas – 2003 – WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title
After the Beyer loss for a headbutt, Green would take on Eric Lucas for the WBC Interim title in Canada. Green would dominate and earn a TKO victory in the six round.
7. Ottis Griffin – 2007 – IBF Pan Pacific, PABA Light-heavyweight titles. IBO Asia Pacific light heavy weight title
This fight would lead Danny on to the path of World Champion, in his final fight before being champion Green would make short work of Griffin with a KO in the third round.
This would elevate Green to world class status that would earn him a title shot in the light-heavyweight divison. From there he would become a multiple time world champion.
6. Manny Siaca – 2010 – IBO Cruiserweight Title
After his win over Jones Jr, Green was on top the of world. His next defence was against Manny Siaca, the man who would beat Anthony Mundine for his WBA Super Middleweight title in 2004. It was a quick three-round knockout. This would be considered a one up on Mundine, with Green defeated Siaca where Mundine failed.
5. BJ Flores – 2010 – IBO Cruiserweight Title
After his disaster with Paul Briggs, Green was looking to get back some credibility, fighting undefeated BJ Flores. This fight was described as a hard-fought match and despite Green being on the back foot for the majority of the fight he would come away with the win and hand Flores his first ever career loss.
4. Krzysztof Włodarczyk – 2011 – WBC Cruiserweight Title
After the loss to Tarver, Green was given another shot at a title against WBC Cruiserweight champ Krzysytof Wlodarczyk of Poland.
Green started strongly, winning the first six rounds and while his opponent was not the shaken up, he was doing well and looked like pulling off the upset.
With copping heavy shots on Round 7 and nine Green was stumbled but kept going, unfortunately in the 11th round he was hit by a left hook sending him into the ropes knocking him down, he would rise to his feet but the referee called off the fight.
Green was gracious in defeat and this will always be his best loss. Aussie boxing legend trainer Johnny Lewis described this fight as Green getting his credibility back.
3. Stipe Drews – 2007 – WBC Light Heavyweight Title
After the Mundine defeat, Green moved weight class again to light heavyweight and had several wins in the division.
He would then receive a shot for the WBC Light Heavyweight title against Stipe Drews. Green would outclass Drews from the get go, keeping up the pressure and win on unanimous points to gain his second world title.
This would be a significant win as Green’s wife was due to give birth to their second child the day earlier but the little one waited until dad was the champ.
2. Julio Cesar Dominguez – 2009 – IBO Crusierweight Title
Green would win his first fight as a cruiserweight by defeating IBO champ Dominguez. A right hand stopped Dominguez, causing the official to give Dominguez a standing eight count in the first round.
Green dominated the fight in a patient and clinical performance. Green knocked Dominquez to the canvas twice in the fifth, causing his corner to throw in the towel as their fighter lay dazed on the floor. Green paid tribute to the former champ saying “this guy was really tough, he needed to be broken down.”
This would be his third world title in as many weight division. He would also become the first Aussie boxing since Jeff Fenech to win world titles in three different divisions, cementing his place as one of Australia’s best boxers.
Green would go on to have four successful title defences, including his best fight against Roy Jones Jr and his worst against Paul Briggs.
Danny Green has had a very successful John Farnham-like career, with the retirements and comebacks but there is no doubt in my mind what his best fought was/is.
1. Roy Jones Jr – 2009 – IBO Crusierweight Title
This is without doubt his best fight, and I dare to say one of the best fights in Aussie boxing history (probably second only to Kosyta Tszyu v Zab Jada but that another list for another day).
No one expected that Green would be so dominant against the former multiple division champ.
He quickly knocked Jones Jr down in the first minute of the first round, and then hammered away. The fight was stopped at 2:09 seconds of the first round. People gave say what they want about Jones Jr on the night but Green KOd in him in the first round, and no other fighter has ever been able to dispose of Jones that quick.
Do you agree with my list? what is your favourite Danny Green fight?
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