You know when Channel Nine reporter Ken Sutcliffe is the voice of reconciliation that things are getting a little crazy.
But that’s what happened at today’s final press conference for Anthony Mundine vs Daniel Geale at Sydney’s The Star casino.
Sutcliffe tried to restore a bit of normalcy, a bit of sanity into an event that had just about everything.
Racism, boasting, profanity, long-winded statements from the promoter, crowd interjections, sexism were just the start.
Mundine went toe-to-toe with long-time critic Daily Telegraph journo Paul Kent in a debate about the greatest crossover-sport athletes, and that’s just a taste of the hour-long press conference.
Street fighter Kimbo Slice showed he was a man of few words, while David Alou showed he is a man of even fewer. That guy did an amazing impersonation of a brick wall that blinks.
The press event started off slow and took a while to warm up but oh did it blow up and end with a bang.
However it was good ‘ol Ken, the male model from Mudgee, at the end trying to play peacemaker. Mundine had slammed Geale previously for not “representing his people”, and had questioned his and his family’s Aboriginality. A touchy subject to say the least.
Today Mundine, channelling his best Muhummad Ali impersonation, called Geale a “fake” and threw out the “Uncle Tom” term. Ali vs Frazier this was not. But it managed to inflame some of the crowd, the Mundine supporters, and tensions in general, adding another facet to the event that had it all except fisticuffs.
Those will be saved for Wednesday night, when these two fighters meant to see who can really claim all the bragging rights.
You can say a lot of things about Anthony Mundine – showman, braggart, supreme athlete, good role model, bad role model, talented boxer, former NRL star, motormouth, controversial, Aboriginal icon etc etc – but no one sells like ‘The Man’.
No-one creates headlines and column inches like he does. No-one has injected life into Australian boxing like he has.
He will get people to the fight, and to buy the pay-per-view. They may not like him, they may not want to see him win (but many do), but they will tune in.
Because the man loves to give a show. Win, lose or draw that’s the one thing, in the sometimes murky and madcap world of boxing, that’s guaranteed.
Follow John on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
B.A Sports
Guest
Your blinkered love for Mundine, and ability to turn even his racist comments, his disrespect for his opponents and disrespect for the people who look up to him, like you, should remind us all just how weak minded some people are and that even when something appears so impossible to believe that no one could possibly buy into it, there are people like you who will. I always wondered how people could surcum to people like David Koresh and Charles Manson... it is clearer now. I know I shouldn't be mean, but c'mon - read what you are writing. I bought into him for about five minutes, but the guy has shown his true colours too many times.
MC AnzaK
Guest
Anthony won that fight hands down, just like he said corrupt judges ruining a great sport. Anthony's the best, he's the MAN ... The true winner
Joe montenegro
Guest
9 out of 10 people can't stand mundine,he is just an uneducated bigmouth, a true indeginous had respect for there fellow man, bottom line ur an idiot mundine, and it doesn't matter what colour you are, ur a idiot!!!!!!
Russ Stewart
Guest
Love him or hate him he can sell tickets. As a challenger he should not attemp to misuse this platform as an avenue for human rights. What mundine has to say regarding the mistreatment of Aborigines needs to be told but not from a boxing ring
MC AnzaK
Guest
I just dropped into my mums house, it's her birthday, she is 66 today! Anyway she was watching that sunrise show with that guy koshey on it, the had a segment " Mundine the racist" it was quite a long segment that spun again what Anthony has said and what he stands for, I recon a few thousand mums that watch that show would even book the fight hoping to watch him get knocked out. It's things like this that make me like Anthony more... And so many idiots on this site and people jumping on the I hate Mundine bandwagon... Mundine claims he will turn his back when they play "Advance Australia Fair" as it is a song which promotes The Advance Australia White policy where Australian tried to breed out aboriginal heritage. I've never thought about the song that way, but it's easy to understand why an aboriginal man or woman would hold unpleasant feeling towards that. And what's worse then that is feeling that way and not saying anything about it. If you feel something is wrong then it's your right to state it. Australian history is far from political fairness, but we are not those people who did those things and thought those ways in the past. I'm sure Anthony knows that. But just as Jews have the right to say their anger towards the Natzi genocide of their people so does Anthony. My mate turtle who plays Didge down at the key dislikes Australia Day because it represents to him when he was taken away from his mum in the 1960 by the Australia government and put into a white catholic family. See if that happened to you I bet you would also feel anger and fear and betrayal when you hear the national anthem. There were countless attempts by thousands of people to wipe out aboriginal Australia. I hope Anthony does turn his back on the song because it shows that he acts upon his beliefs. The more people that slag this living legend off the more I like him. I believe he has the skills to win, take it back to America and take out Floyd. I'd like this to shut up his critics for good but I bet it won't. Anthony's passion is beautiful and his skills are supreme. He is my hero
Debz
Guest
We are all entitled to our opinions but you my friend are delusional the greatest h,mmmm I think not he is just a loud mouthed bully.
MC AnzaK
Guest
You know what I recon Mundine has has said that 1000 times, never to me, but if he did I would agree. Go Munners
MC AnzaK
Guest
It's a big call and I stand by it... I'm do proud of what he has achieved and the best is yet to come
MC AnzaK
Guest
Someone said... Find a sportsperson with real concern for all people Anthony has built gyms, halls, fixed thousands of dollars of property in the block and you think he has no concern for his people. You need to wipe your chin your dribbling crap
Jayden
Guest
For u to even say that is even a joke obviously you know nothing about boxing, remember when every one wanted green to KO mundine but no mundine was to smooth quick and stylish grow up and don't comment unless you know anything about boxing mundine will go down with names like Lionel rose Jeff fenech in the greatest Aussie boxers ever so say he can't fight but watch his fights he has never held onto a boxer so get ur facts right
MC AnzaK
Guest
Did Mundine ever fight Ali... Lol no mate but he stumped Donny Bradman in 1974 the year before he was born... What I f%^^ stupid thing to reply
Wardy
Guest
You are being sarcastic I hope. Glad to refer someone as a "fat chic", shows your need to put someone below yourself. You are right about him not giving a shit about anyone else though, he is only worried about himself. As for him bringing unity to people, the comments on this site alone should make you realise the exact opposite. If calling someone a f@#$n c#$t on television is an example of his character, he doesn't deserve the air time. Find a sportsperson with real concern for all people and not not pandering to his own over inflated ego. Go Geale.
MC AnzaK
Guest
Mundine the greatest sportsman ever to have lived... Period
KingMatty
Guest
Mundine is the best Aussie boxer ever payper view world titles easily the best we have to offer the world watch him beat geale and retire champion or fight on it doesn't matter all you haters have some respect the goat fights tomorrow
Toa
Guest
At 0.58sec( press conference) the showman without a wink & tongue poke clearly displays what every other male does who doesn’t take himself seriously after talking himself up. The Real Mundine is the bloke that’s off camera a humble & caring Father, Brother, Son & Community Leader. The Mundine Actor/Showman is about a business procedure he wants your interest follow by attention finally the diatribe that riles you happens when he takes your money because as you’re his opponent you want to witness him get KO. Mundine the athlete is about effort, Anthony is no different from any other competitor he has respect for all his opponents and wants to win him claiming otherwise is just the showman talking. If you can ignore the showman part you’ll realise Wednesday night will be cracker. While there will be fans screaming for his blood (and by then he’s already taken your money) I suggest they relax, remember is about strategic effort.
mal
Guest
did mundine ever fight Ali, Frasier, Bugner, no he just just beat up drunk bums for a quick payday, mundine hasnt come close to fighting a half decent boxer, Rose will always be better then mundine. hope Geale kos him and his mouth
mal
Guest
Mundine the greatest sportsman ever to have lived??........................What did Mundine tell you that?? You obviously dont know much about sport
ash sainsbury
Guest
history wars own wars lost ,stand up its today as its a good day,, make it better for everyone....
Myears Hurt
Guest
How can he be the greatest Australian sportsman ever to live?, played rugby league and never had the talent to make the national side, always blamed the selectors for being racist all the while players of all heritages where being selected, as for being the greatest boxer this country has ever had.....Really???? Have a look at the great boxers that call Australia home.....has Anthony ever stepped foot in America to test himself against the best? No, the self proclaimed "Man" is a boy who hates the colour white even thou white blood runs through his veins....Mundine thinks its acceptable to be an out spoken racists and has not one attribute anyone would like to have installed in their children. Maybe like a child he needs a good spanking and hopefully Geale (A proud Australian) will hand him one out.
Russ Stewart
Guest
Racial slurrs went out of this sport many years ago. Boxing is a great leveller, it does not matter what colour or creed you are. Everyone is accepted if they want to step up. Although Mundine is a great promoter of his fights (notwithstanding the 289 people that attended the McKart fight), he should not bring the sport down by his BS demeanour. One would think he his a Yank by the way his mannerisms and gestures are publicly flaunted. Anyway, should be a good fight, may the best man win