It’s been ten years in the making, but Australian boxing fans can finally look forward to seeing Anthony Mundine and Danny Green step into the ring together once again.
The two boxers first faced off in 2006, with Mundine getting the better of Green on points. Now, more than ten years on, Green will finally have his chance at payback on February 3 of next year.
The bout will take place at a catch weight of 83kg, a massive step up for Mundine, who weighed in at 69.84 kilograms for his last fight against Charles Hatley.
The weight should give Green, who is the bigger fighter, a significant advantage, but Mundine brushed off any concerns in typically abrupt fashion.
“You know what weight we’re fighting at? We’re fighting at ‘Danny Weight’. But, you know what, it don’t matter, I’m going to school him again,” Mundine said.
“I just want to put this shit to rest, that I’m the better man.
“Skills pay the bills. I’m going to be as sharp as I was in 2006.”
Mundine also claimed he was fully fit, having battled a persistent hip injury for much of the past seven or eight years. But Green was evidently far from concerned about his opponent’s declaration.
“You hit me with everything you had with two hips,” Green told Mundine. “I didn’t stop marching forward.”
Earlier in the day, South Australian sport and tourism minister, Leon Bignell, told ABC radio the Adelaide Oval will be the host venue for the fight.
“We are delighted to have the fight coming here,” Bignell said.
“We will have 37,000 people at the Adelaide Oval and it will be the biggest fight in Australian history in terms of crowds.”
The original fight between Green and Mundine was held in Sydney and drew a massive crowd of around 30,000 fans. This time, according to Bignell, there was plenty of competition from around the country for the right to host the fight.
“We were up against Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth,” he said.
“Everyone wanted this fight, it’s the biggest fight between the two biggest names of our generation in terms of boxing.”
Back in August, Green revealed the plans for the fight had been put in place as early as July, during a meeting between the two at Sydney Airport.
I got the call from Khoder Nasser, Mundine’s long time manager and a guy I have had a long history with and we’ve always got on very well,” Green said on ‘The Howie Games‘ podcast.
“He said, ‘Look I want you to hear this from Mundine himself, I want you to hear it from his mouth, I don’t want you to hear it from me because it means nothing unless you hear it from him.’
“We sat at the airport, [Sydney] International airport, sat out the front. Said ‘G’day’, it literally only took 3-seconds.
“Khoder said ‘Rightio Chock, tell Greeny what you want to say’ and Chock said ‘Yep I agree to it, the weight, the split and let’s get it on.’
“It was good to finally hear it from his mouth, and I think he realises that it is inevitable. It’s got to happen. We are both very, very blessed to have a fight this big at this stage of our career.”
Tickets for the bout go on sale Thursday, October 27.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Irrespective of weight, skill, history or fitness, here's hoping for a Danny Green left, right, kick, headbutt or knee to finally silence the mouth that is Mundine. This event is so old. A quick knockout might just end this money making rivalry that actually means nothing.
correct sometimes
Guest
yeah, thats why Mundine is so desperate to fight him. They are as bad as each other.
Jerry
Guest
I have to say this is pretty sad, I've followed both careers and they were two good fighters, not great, who have had their day. They fought at their peak and there was a clear outcome. Why Mundine would fight now under these weight conditions is beyond me, must be money alone. For Danny to think that beating up on a fella 15 or more kgs less on the night and feel proud about it is pretty disappointing for a professional fighter of Danny's experience who knows very well about the effect weight has on the contest. I don't see who really wins out of this. I recall watching fenech/nelson 3 and that was an absolute farce, I think I remember Nelson being over 50 years old on the night but he refused to show his passport to the sanctioning body or some such nonsense. This effort from Mundine/green will be a potential stain on Aus boxing for years to come and doesn't provide either man with the integrity with which they could otherwise finish their careers with. I agree with kkb though, a lot of boofheads will get on the piss and cheer on one or the other in the hope that someone gets their head knocked off, and if Mundine/green make a packet out of it, good luck to 'em.
Kavvy
Guest
So this is like an EJ whitten legends fundraiser type bout yeah? Surely not considered a "serious boxing match". Proceeds to charity?
KingKongBundy
Guest
Jason that fight for the LHW title was never going to happen it was around the time Mundine got beat by Hatley and it was more a way of Green saying I don't need Mundine I have other options the other being another roy jones fight Green was just bluffing But your right this rematch will mean nothing and yes they should always be judged on there first fight but at the end of the day this fight is just a form of entertainment its a time wen causal sporting fans(not boxing fans) will get together with there mates have a few beers and a barbie and watch it out of interest .It's kind of like WWE,fully grown men watch it and get excited how I don't no but its entertainment and causal Australian sporting fans don't no any better they don't no boxing and how real fights with blokes in there prime mean something they just see 2 blokes that they've read about in the papers and seen on the news for years punching each other its something to do and a excuse for them to go to the pub or to there mates so if people get excited over this then good on them no harm done and good on Green and Mundine for making money out of this you cant blame them
bigJ
Guest
these blokes must of read my article last week and finally pulled thier fingers out, your welcome boxing fans.
Sideline
Guest
It's hardly going to be an amazing fight at their age, but it will get attention. A lot depends on Mundine's speed. I reckon Green might catch him and that'll be all. Green by late knock-out.
Jason
Guest
Less than a year ago Green claimed he was in talks with Juergen Braehmer's camp for a shot at his 79kg WBA belt. So he'll fight for a world title at 79kg's but needs 83kg's to fight Mundine. Even if Green does win it will mean nothing with Mundine coming up 4 weight classes and being 10 kilos plus lighter in the ring. These two will always be judged by their 1st fight. Two men in their prime in the same weight class, Mundine won easily.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
We may have about 5 years ago but now i doubt anyone cares about it.
michael steel
Guest
I'd rather watch a match race between Makybe Diva and Fields of Omagh. It would be more relevant.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Danny Green making more bucks off the Anthony Mundine name
RBBAnonymous
Guest
When is the third fight. When they hit their 80's. This fight has stewed for so long that there is no meat left on the bone.
Kaks
Roar Guru
"Mundine and Green all set for long-awaited rematch"... that no one has actually been waiting for.
Ray
Guest
They’ll both need a can of WD40 to loosen up their ageing joints!