Anthony Mundine breathed new life into his boxing career with an impressive split decision win over Sergey Rabchenko in Melbourne.
It was a fight many, myself included, thought was a step too far for him. Rabchenko came in with an unbeaten record, an 11-year age difference and decent power in his fists. On paper he should have had Mundine’s number.
The Australian’s last five fights have been fairly ordinary. The joke Bronco McKart bout in Vegas, dominated by Daniel Geale in Sydney, the on-again, off-again farce with an elderly Shane Mosley who retired hurt, the win over no-name Gunnar Jackson and then decimated by Josh Clottey.
At 39, Mundine isn’t getting any quicker or faster.
But ‘The Man’ wound back the clock last night at Hisense Arena. He started strongly, counter-punched well and had enough speed to trouble the Belarusian.
His defence was solid, and mentally he was right up for the battle. He started to fade somewhat in the middle to late rounds, but fired back in flashes towards the end of the fight and did enough to deserve the win.
He’s kick-started a career that looked like it was on its last legs. Father time catches up with everyone and after Clottey smashed him in Newcastle in April, the former St George Illawarra five-eighth looked down. A spent force.
But there’s some life in the old dog yet. Where he goes from here is where it gets interesting.
The win over Rabchenko gives him the WBC Silver light middleweight belt and in range in the rankings of WBC champions Floyd Mayweather. But let’s be honest, a fight with Mayweather won’t happen.
Outside of Australia, a small boxing market, Mundine is not known. He can’t bring the kind of cash to attract Mayweather, the arch capitalist.
The likes of Britain’s Amir Khan would bring a lot more fans and TV money than Mundine would.
‘The Man’ seemed to acknowledge this straight after the fight. In the ring he admitted “I think Floyd is the best and it’s up to him if he wants to fight me”.
A bout with Canelo Alvarez, which Mundine hinted at, is more possible but I don’t think likely either.
There isn’t much upside to Alvarez fighting the Aussie. He doesn’t bring enough money or fame, or a strong belt.
Mundine’s best bet is a bout with Carlos Molina, Ishe Smith, Erislandy Lara or Cornelius Bundrage. Beat one of those quartet and people really start to sit up and take notice. He may need another win to get up on that stage.
It’s hard to say exactly what Mundine’s focus is at this point – a world title or a cash grab. He joked about getting a few more million in the interview last night. Surely he has more than enough from both his boxing and NRL days to keep him satisfied. I guess we will know when his next move and next opponent are announced.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Nudge
Guest
Very very true Maca
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I have him the win by two points but I was just pointing out the conspiracy theory. However I've no idea how the Swiss judge had Mundine losing. It was a draw at worse.
Nic
Guest
Nope, it is scored round by round not "dominate the belt-holder or lose." The other guy gave away a lot of the early rounds and was playing catch up all night
Nic
Guest
Mundine won that. I'm no fan other than to consider him a great "athlete" but a loss would have been a robbery
macca
Guest
true charlie ,and the only reason causal sporting fans ( not boxing fans ) no the names danny green ,sam solimon and danny geale is because of mundine ,he creates interest, conflict and gets people talking ,and people commenting on him and saying hes a idiot i say hook line an sinker! mundine wants u to think that, he wants u talking about him ,he wins u lose, its a part of his gameplan in the boxing game to stir up shi# and sell tickets, but some people just dont understand boxing i guess ,look at danny geale he,s quiet and humble , great fighter but no one no,s who he is.apart from the media coverage he got wen he fort anthony (the man) mundine ,i rest my case
Realist 1975
Guest
Didn't know too much about Rabchenko so checked up on Wikipedia and viewed utube boxing footage of his previous bouts etc. Afterwards I guessed that Sergey would win easily as coupled with the above he was undefeated, possessed a 72% knockout ratio, could fight also as a southpaw and more importantly was 11 years younger. Considering that Mundine possessed limited or nil amateur experience, played league at a weight in the late 80kg's and had been totally outclassed in his last fight I didn't think he could win. After viewing the streams last night I thought ok he's done well just getting to the 4th round and felt he couldn't possibly keep it up. Reading what happened in the 10th round I thought he would get knocked out. Alas he surprised me. All I can say is WOW, what an athlete. To do what he has achieved is simply amazing.
Charles
Guest
Hate him or not, Mundine is the reason boxing even exists in Australia.
macca
Guest
i was going for mundine but i was surprised he got the win ,you haveto take the title off the champ and theres no way mundine flogged him if it was close then the champ remains the champ ,against clottey,geale and even last night mundine seems to be on the backfoot alot and looks worn out and doesnt fight with the same confidence he useto but hes only human and age catches up with everyone but to suggest he could even dream about fighting mayweather is just a joke wen he beats 5 top 10 boxers in a row then mabey he could earn a shot but i cant see him even beating lara or trout so the mayweather thing will never happen
Johnnyball
Guest
Poor little dear feels good about himself, that's enough
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It was pretty sus that the Australians gave him a 2 and 4 point win yet the Swiss (?) judge gave it to sergey by 2. Although according to the round by round reports Mundine was never up on the Swiss judges card which simply wasn't the case. Mundine definitely had an edge after 8 rounds. The four after that I had them split with sergey beginning to get it over him late.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Great...means i have to listen to this annoying loudmouth for at least another time..
The Boxer
Guest
Did he well but was it enough to earn a win... I believe Rabchenko needed to knock him out to avoid a split decision. In boxing, vested interests sitting ringside have a tendency to sway match officials, particularly officials that live locally.
Rex
Guest
Sergey who? Seriously i haven't watched boxing in years and that's all thanks to Mundine. He makes the sport unlikable because he is totally unlikable.
Monday's Expert
Guest
That was a surprise. Ahead of the fight I thought Mundine would get a thumping but he did well.