If yesterday’s news conference was a title fight, Anthony Mundine would’ve left Daniel Geale dazed and confused on the canvas.
Geale, for all of his skill in the ring, comes a distant second to Mundine when it comes to the gift of the gab.
He shouldn’t feel bad though. Few, if any, can match Mundine’s razor sharp tongue.
The former rugby league star jabbed and hooked with one-liners and didn’t duck and weave any retort from Geale, his promoter Gary Shaw or journalists in the crowd.
It was classic Mundine with a bit of adults only language unexpectedly chucked in.
The scream louder for longer method certainly worked.
His voice left a lasting impression between the ears.
Mundine puts bums on seats and he knows it. Create headlines and the pay per view and ticket sales will follow.
It’s mostly theatre, but when two of the best middleweights in the country come together you have to question whether the copious serving of bluff and blunder is needed.
Talk to someone close to Mundine and they’ll tell you he isn’t the villain he tries to portray himself as.
They talk of a man who is unrecognisable to the one who fills the airwaves with verbal barrages.
The Mundine they know is open, giving and dedicated to helping those less fortunate than him.
It’s impossible to reconcile the two sides of the same individual.
That’s not to apologise for the former rugby league player, but more to highlight the way he sees the game and chooses to play it.
The problem is that the nice guy would probably be less of a drawcard and in professional boxing that means less money.
Would fans accept a build-up free from the usual barbs and instead be content to marvel at two Australian’s with plenty of ability in the squared circle?
Would it be enough to have both men come out, shake hands and say, “see you on Wednesday”?
Mundine speaks of his “respect” for Geale and in the same breath expresses his utter contempt for his achievements.
It’s almost impossible for anyone to really find where the line between fact and fiction is when it comes to the relationship between the two fighters.
You’d have an easier time solving a Sudoku puzzle while blindfolded.
Thankfully bouts aren’t decided by one-liners, but skill and determination.
But are graft and grind enough to put money in the bank, fans in the seats and eyes on the television?
Mundine accused Geale of being “boring” but is he more or less marketable because of his more measured approach?
You’d have to search far and wide to find someone who genuinely had a bad word to say about him or his ability.
So, what’s more important?
Would you pay for a fight where the pre-match theatre was non-existent?
Does it cheapen the product?
Or is drama an essential component?
Beardan
Roar Guru
Its a disgrace. Its not a sport. Blokes belting each other with only a few rules thrown in. Boxing is an art, its a sport. UFC is a joke.
Jay
Guest
Why? Reasons?
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
That's true TR, the whole country is behind Mundine in this one! Maybe not this country, but that's boxing!!
Australian Rules
Guest
Luke, your first line sums it up.
Luke
Guest
Of all things he does I just don't understand why he attacks others aboriginals when he claims to act for his people! If I could ask him a couple of questions they would be: Do you truly represent all indigenous Australians or only those who grew up in the inner city ( not the comfort of a nice house in Earlwood) with a chip? Do you believe in the Dreamtime? If you do believe in the Dreamtime how can you be a Muslim, as the Islamic religion forbids such beliefs? If you do not believe in the Dreamtime how can you represent and speak for the Aboriginal people who do? Is visiting Redfern a pre-requisite for being a true aboriginal or as you call it from the street? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Beardan
Roar Guru
UFC is a joke.
Beardan
Roar Guru
The truth is Mndane is far more interesting than Geale and i would prefer to watch a Mundane fight than Geale's even if he has a couple of belts. Mundane may be a first class jibberer and living in his own world a bit, but he does know how to pump up a fight. Its got me more interested for sure.
planko
Guest
Tristan but noone can deny that the fact that he is in this fight make's the purse bigger ? If this was Geale V Soliman the purse would be halved .. What do you reckon..
Tristan Rayner
Editor
If he hadn't already, he's firmly jumped the shark now. But don't forget he's giving you reasons to buy that PPV, even if it's for Geale. Also, he's making Warney look good.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I tend to agree with all of that. What I find appalling is why isn't he called out for racist remarks? Apparently he is more of a tan than Geale its its ok to say the things he does? Just Imagine if it was Joey Johns who said something raciest... oh wait...
Valleys Diehard from Brunswick st.
Roar Rookie
Don’t you think on this occasion he has gone just a little too far, even for him? You think his commentary is going to inspire people who are having trouble in life to become better, lift themselves off the canvas and become better individuals? So far he has: • Abused Geales wife and kids • Vilified Geale and his Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage • Insensitively and inaccurately referenced one of (if not the most) disgraceful chapters in Australia’s known history (Tas Aboriginal genocide) • Bizarrely pointed out that he respected Geale while claiming he is weak, fought rubbish opponents (really Anthony… pot… black…), and was going to lose • Disrespected a deceased Aboriginal icon and Rugby Leagues greatest player, accusing him of being an “Uncle Tom” • Overstated his importance on the global stage… again. • Misrepresented the former National coaches words, quoting out of context • Inappropriately responding to a legitimate question, as a ruse to continue the bitter contempt he has for a commendable journo • And finally… Stammering through the most white-knuckle, bare chested and grammatically demented epistle we are likely to witness. The guy’s command of basic sentence structure goes well beyond a few choice hits to the head. Unlike what Anthony hopes, I won’t be watching to see if Geale belts his head in…. at either a Pub or PpV but like most I hope that Geale really gives it to him.
Valleys Diehard from Brunswick st.
Roar Rookie
Mundine was a reprobate a long time before he was a muslim, in fact as far as I understand he was a secular Christian when he played for the Dragons/ Bronco's. He was hardly liked or respected back then.... talk to almost any Dragons fan regarding just who cost them the 99 GF, it aint Jamie Ainscough !! Mundine converted to Islam when he went AWOL from Dragons training in 2000 and headed to the USA, while there he connected with the Nation of Islam via connections of his father. He read Ali's bio and the rest is history, his newfound "faith" is reinforced by connecting with the charming islamic folk in SW Sydney.
planko
Roar Guru
Yes every sports needs the hype. Every boxer that fights Mundine can thank Mundine for doing the heavy lifting. He make's what would be a pretty bog standard low paying bout into an event.Into a serious purse Geale deep down should be thanking Mundine for setting him up. What kind of revenue would this fight generate if it was a Geale Vs Soliman. Come on get of his case people (Mundine). He adopted Muslim as it gave him a way of really hard questions. Anthony do you want a drink ? Anthony do you want to stay out all night acting like a tool ? Trust me it makes answering these questions easy .. No cant against my religion. Before you start saying try staying out past Midnight without drinking trust me really boring....
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Well said. Great discussion. (Good to know about Li'l Lleyton too)
Garcia
Guest
"Wannabe"
turbodewd
Guest
I just wished Mundine stayed in the NRL! He was a very very good player. Alas he thinks the establishment needs to bow and scrape and worship at his every move or utterance. He is angry. He has a massive chip on his shoulder and cannot believe that the vast majority of Australians are sorry for any past massacres and are keen to ensure indigenous Aussies live fun, rewarding, healthy lives. Mundine is actually living in the past by trying to channel Ali...even tho Ali aint dead!
Australian Rules
Guest
Tristan, I accept there's a difference between the private Mundine and the "showman". (Lleyton Hewitt, oft-thought by the public to be petulant, abrasive or obnoxious... is quite shy off-court and a lovely fella, not to mention incredibly generous with charities and youth-work) My problem with Mundine, as you identify, is that he's divisive & (blatantly) racist. Not content with mocking Geale's heritage at the October presser, he even derided his wife - "he's got a white woman". Imagine this comment in reverse...appalling. He may spend time in Aboriginal communities but frankly, this is not a bloke who should be an example (let alone a messenger) for any young Australian. His corrosive message to indigenous kids seems to be: "it's us against them". It's a shame he's not intelligent enough to realise how damaging this public persona is to young Australians - especially indigenous kids.
LH
Guest
Lately, the bile coming out of Mundine's mouth has been astonishing. It can't be 'all for show' he must think it to say it. The vehemence that his mixed up words came out with belie the notion that it's an act. He's coming off petulant and bitter, a palpable frustration with the fact that his self belief and immense talent haven't been enough to cement a world class legacy. Let's face it, while dominant against all Aussie comers (so far) he has never made a dent worldwide. His best international victory is against Antwun Echols and if you want to see how that victory holds up you only need to look at Echols career after that fight.
Jay
Guest
Agree. In my mind his religion has nothing to do with anything. How he conducts himself is the important aspect.
Jay
Guest
Absolutely. My understanding is he does wonderful things for his community. I just don't know how he can reconcile what he does for indigenous youth off-camera, with the tosser and poor example he sets on-camera. Especially as the on-camera Mundine is pretty much all people see.