Anthony Mundine’s American dream could very well become a reality. His TKO win over American great Shane Mosley has significantly raised his profile, and he now ranks in the top 10 in the world on major boxing websites.
According to reputable site Boxrec.com, Mundine is ranked as the No.7 light middleweight in the world, and he sits at fifth according to fightnews.com.
Whether you’re a boxing enthusiast or just a casual supporter it’s hard to miss the little Australian flag that proudly sits beside Anthony Mundine’s name, high on a list, in a division packed with absolute superstars.
Perth born Daniel Dawson is the next highest ranked Australian light middleweight, sitting at 75th in the world.
Current IBF light middleweight champion Carlos Molina is considered one of the best fighters in the world, and rumours have been emerging that the Mundine camp is heavy in negotiations to secure a world title bout against the current champion.
Winning a major belt against somebody with a such a large fan base as Molina would give “The Man” a bargaining chip that could get him his dream fights with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, and then perhaps on to ring legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mundine will be huge come fight night as his size is easily one of the biggest in this weight division.
He towered over Shane Mosley at the weigh-in in Sydney last month and after the fight Mosley said, “Sometimes if you look too good, fighters don’t want to fight you”.
Maybe Mundine is Australia’s best kept secret. The US has started to ask “who is Mundine?”, and it’s now or never for them to find out.
Russ Stewart
Guest
Anthony Mundine is a very good fighter. He could dominate at a Commonwealth level just as his dad did but he is not in the class with the elite. As Caesar said " If Mundine was serious about making it in the US he would have started years ago". His world titles are all 2nd tier International titles just like the title that Jarrod Fletcher picked up in a terrific bout last weekend. To speak of a possible fight with the likes of Mayweather or Cotto is futile. This is a business and who, apart from a handful in Oz would pay for the chance to watch it. Moving up the ranks via National > Continental Titles>Commonwealth Titles > World Rankings etc was too slow for 'The man', his fights from now on, I believe; will be against the likes of Danny Green or an older fighter past his best. Can't see how Foxtel still put him on Main Event, sooner or later the wheels will run off.
Caesar
Guest
'Raised Mundine's profile'? Nobody considers beating a 42 year old cripple to be in any way remarkable. Pretty much nobody in the US took any notice of the Mosley win, and the few publications that did comment were highly critical of the fight even going ahead given Mosley's decline. Mundine has no chance of getting big fights in America. Why would Cotto and Canelo want to fight an unknown Australian who draws no audience in the US and cannot provide a decent purse? Morgan is right. If Mundine was serious about making it in the US he would have started years ago. Now, it is too late for him to build up his rating or profile high enough to force a bout with a top opponent. Fighting tomato cans has been good for his wallet but not good for his career.
Dushi
Roar Rookie
Thanks Ben!
Ben
Guest
Great article Dushi. Looking forward to reading more from you. Regards
matty
Guest
Mundine is aussies best I and highest paid home based sportsman hes a monster at jm i recon he would have canelo and molina but he will be in over his head with floyd manny lara and cotto he will have the size but these guys are elite in the division
Russ Stewart
Guest
Please, come on Mick. He didn't ask for a million bucks. Mundine had an offer from Trout and from Golovkin and turned them both down. He will never ever get a shot at Mayweather. He needs meaningful fights against ranked opponents other than fighters past their best like Mosley. Claiming a TKO from a (ref stopped fight/or doctor) means nothing really. Fighting Dawson will do zero to add to his credibility, we all know that. He needs a name, someone that will cause the boxing world to take real notice. At present Mayweather probably doesn't even know his name apart from the fact that a doctor stopped Mosely in his last fight. As I've said previously, his father gained more adulation from losses against class fighters (Monzon/Briscoe etc) than Anthony has ever gained in shallow victories against has beens.
mick
Guest
Mundine didnt back out of the trout fight trout priced himself out of the fight & demanded 2 much money & mundine wasnt prepaired 2 pay that kind of money simple as that
Russ Stewart
Guest
At least we will see a 'real' fight when Jarrod Fletcher fights Martin Murray on the undervcard of the Golovkin bout in Monte Carlo.
Dushi
Roar Rookie
If Mundine takes him out in the first few rounds then maybe.. but otherwise i doubt it. This will be a purely a stay busy fight.. but the journo's will have a field day with it. I may just have something to say about it as well. Can't wait to hear who it is.
colin
Guest
ah ok.do you think this fight will move him up a notch or two in the wba rankings?
Dushi
Roar Rookie
The thing is Colin, Daniel Dawson is ranked #14 by the WBA. This is why mundine was so specific and said top 15 instead of saying top 10. Nevertheless on a world scale Daniel Dawson is a nobody... who are we kidding. I am very happy that mundine is fighting again so quickly.. that is something i have missed. People like Green and Geale fought less and less the more famous they become and so did mundine.. so at the very least respect to the man for that.
colin
Guest
i do agree he has to stop saying things if he isn't doing it.he said he is fighting top 15 in major belts.this guy isn't.these big fights take time.
Russ Stewart
Guest
Why not Ishe Smith (fight Record: 25-6-0 (11 KOs) he's trained by 'The Mayweather's). At least Anthony would get attention with a contest like this. Can't see anybody watching Mundine unless he faces a formidable opponent this time. Putting Quade on the card is just an effort to sell more tickets. He needs to step up now or call it a draw with the sport.
Dushi
Roar Rookie
It makes sense for anthony to stay busy and fight dawson, though a few days ago mundine was in an interview saying "i only want to fight yanks". I just don't like the hypocrisy. The highest priced tickets for anthonies next fight are only $200 which makes me think it's not going to be a class opponent.
colin
Guest
i just looked him up.ranking not so good,2nd best light middle in australia.solid record only been stopped once.fought geale and geale didn't stop him.i think mundine needs a lot less time between fights i think he would have beat geale if he was fighting more.this guy would be good to keep active but he has to fight a top 5 opponent within 3 months of this fight.trouble for him is he will cop it in media for fighting this guy even tho geale fought him to.then again he will cop it anyway hey paul kent.i can see why he picked this opponent easy to organise short notice and this guy is pretty solid.
Dushi
Roar Rookie
There are heavy rumours floating around that on the janruary 29th bout in brisbane mundine will be fighting perth born Daniel Dawson as mentioned in this article. Thoughts?
Russ Stewart
Guest
Good points!
Russ Stewart
Guest
Didn't mean it to come out that way. I have a lot of respect for Anthony. Not many could do what he has done and apply the dedication required in such a physically demanding sport. But apart from all that he is a 'supreme' businessman. He and his team are shrewd. Anthony witnessed his Father being ripped off in the early days.
Dushi
Roar Rookie
Mundine chooses weight depending on who he is avoiding? Man... you are such a pessimist. lol.
casey
Guest
Every boxer cuts weight for the weigh-in then re-hydrates, you don't get to fight boxers smaller than you that's why they have weight divisions. Mundine started at supermiddleweight won 2 world titles and was in ring magazines top 5 for 6 years the most of any Australian born boxer, including 4 years in the top 3 it's hardly struggling. Ignorant comment.