I have already written what I consider to be Anthony Mundine’s top ten fights, so I thought I would do a list for his 2017 opponent Danny Green.
As I am a huge Green fan and have always considered him as the “Good guy” of Aussie boxing, so it’s time for a trip down memory lane.
Green has been responsible for bringing some of the best fighters to Australia. Roy Jones Jr and Antonio Tarver among many others have come to our shores, and he is one half of the biggest fight in Australian history, so there’s no doubting the Green Machine’s legacy.
10. Kane Watts – 2016 – Australia Cruiserweight Title
We start with his most recent fight, with his victory over Kane Watts. Even though he was 43 years of age, Green proved that he can still overcome a younger stronger and heavier man.
Even though Watts is a plumber and a part time boxer, he still was able to trouble Green in parts of the fight. But Green’s experience would overcome and Danny would take the win by points decision at the end of proceedings.
He would say that this fight was a warning to Mundine as what will happen to him if they were to ever have a rematch. We only have to wait until February 2017, with Green the heavy favourite.
9. Shane Cameron – 2012 – IBO Cruiserweight Title
After his devasting loss to Antonio Tarver, with the American being stripped of the title for failing a drug test after, Green was back into the mix to regain his title against Kiwi Shane Cameron. The fight was built as the Tras-Tasman fight for the world title.
As Cameron would have to cut down a lot of weight, being a natural heavyweight, Green dominated for the start and he no problem taking him out the win to regain his IBO title. However, Green would vacant the title and not defend it again. He would be a two-time IBO Cruiserweight Champion.
8. Eric Lucas – 2003 – WBC Interim Super Middleweight Title
After the Beyer loss for a headbutt, Green would take on Eric Lucas for the WBC Interim title in Canada. Green would dominate and earn a TKO victory in the six round.
7. Ottis Griffin – 2007 – IBF Pan Pacific, PABA Light-heavyweight titles. IBO Asia Pacific light heavy weight title
This fight would lead Danny on to the path of World Champion, in his final fight before being champion Green would make short work of Griffin with a KO in the third round.
This would elevate Green to world class status that would earn him a title shot in the light-heavyweight divison. From there he would become a multiple time world champion.
6. Manny Siaca – 2010 – IBO Cruiserweight Title
After his win over Jones Jr, Green was on top the of world. His next defence was against Manny Siaca, the man who would beat Anthony Mundine for his WBA Super Middleweight title in 2004. It was a quick three-round knockout. This would be considered a one up on Mundine, with Green defeated Siaca where Mundine failed.
5. BJ Flores – 2010 – IBO Cruiserweight Title
After his disaster with Paul Briggs, Green was looking to get back some credibility, fighting undefeated BJ Flores. This fight was described as a hard-fought match and despite Green being on the back foot for the majority of the fight he would come away with the win and hand Flores his first ever career loss.
4. Krzysztof Włodarczyk – 2011 – WBC Cruiserweight Title
After the loss to Tarver, Green was given another shot at a title against WBC Cruiserweight champ Krzysytof Wlodarczyk of Poland.
Green started strongly, winning the first six rounds and while his opponent was not the shaken up, he was doing well and looked like pulling off the upset.
With copping heavy shots on Round 7 and nine Green was stumbled but kept going, unfortunately in the 11th round he was hit by a left hook sending him into the ropes knocking him down, he would rise to his feet but the referee called off the fight.
Green was gracious in defeat and this will always be his best loss. Aussie boxing legend trainer Johnny Lewis described this fight as Green getting his credibility back.
3. Stipe Drews – 2007 – WBC Light Heavyweight Title
After the Mundine defeat, Green moved weight class again to light heavyweight and had several wins in the division.
He would then receive a shot for the WBC Light Heavyweight title against Stipe Drews. Green would outclass Drews from the get go, keeping up the pressure and win on unanimous points to gain his second world title.
This would be a significant win as Green’s wife was due to give birth to their second child the day earlier but the little one waited until dad was the champ.
2. Julio Cesar Dominguez – 2009 – IBO Crusierweight Title
Green would win his first fight as a cruiserweight by defeating IBO champ Dominguez. A right hand stopped Dominguez, causing the official to give Dominguez a standing eight count in the first round.
Green dominated the fight in a patient and clinical performance. Green knocked Dominquez to the canvas twice in the fifth, causing his corner to throw in the towel as their fighter lay dazed on the floor. Green paid tribute to the former champ saying “this guy was really tough, he needed to be broken down.”
This would be his third world title in as many weight division. He would also become the first Aussie boxing since Jeff Fenech to win world titles in three different divisions, cementing his place as one of Australia’s best boxers.
Green would go on to have four successful title defences, including his best fight against Roy Jones Jr and his worst against Paul Briggs.
Danny Green has had a very successful John Farnham-like career, with the retirements and comebacks but there is no doubt in my mind what his best fought was/is.
1. Roy Jones Jr – 2009 – IBO Crusierweight Title
This is without doubt his best fight, and I dare to say one of the best fights in Aussie boxing history (probably second only to Kosyta Tszyu v Zab Jada but that another list for another day).
No one expected that Green would be so dominant against the former multiple division champ.
He quickly knocked Jones Jr down in the first minute of the first round, and then hammered away. The fight was stopped at 2:09 seconds of the first round. People gave say what they want about Jones Jr on the night but Green KOd in him in the first round, and no other fighter has ever been able to dispose of Jones that quick.
Do you agree with my list? what is your favourite Danny Green fight?
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
This list is so interesting as it clearly shows what a fraud, Green was. His IBO reign was a complete joke an embarrassment. Fought nobodies or has beens to either, make a name for himself, (fair enough most boxers do that) make money or do a friend a favor. His ifhgts with Manny Siaca and Paul Briggs never should of happened. But Ironically enough it is a real shame that is best fight(s) were loses, his two fights with Markus Beyer were the best of his SMW campaign closely followed by his victory of Eric Lucas. His fight with Mundine showed that he was not of world class statue in the SMW division and he went to the light-heavyweight instead. His fight against the was easily he most credible fight, at the real weight limit with a legit champ. it really sadeens me that he almost got the job done, he almost won the title and imagine what if he had won that fight??? But then again how long would he have held on to that title. Many aussie champions have been two second champs. Lester Ellis, Gairy St Clair and Robbie Peden, when they were the IBF Super-featherweight champ, Lovermore Ndou when he was the IBF Super-lightweight champ and Green himself he when was the WBA Light-heavyweight champ. I still cant believe that he retired a month before his first defence agaisnt Hugo Garay.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
I would have to agree with Jason and this one and this list clearly shows what a joke Danny Green was. Had more joke fights then legit ones especially at Crusierweight, his best fights where all losses with the exception of Roy Jones Jr and Lucas. Beyer, Wlodarcyk, Tarvier, and Mundine all either KO'd him or gave him a lesson in boxing. What really angries me about Green is that he says that he is a four time, three division world champion, WRONG!!!!!!!! he is a one time, one division champ. The WBC Interim title that he won was not full world title and when he took on the real champ he lost, twice. The IBO is not a governing body for boxing so therefore thier belt is nothing more than a glorified toy belt for has been's and never will be's. You can count the number of legit champs to hold a IBO title with one hand, Lewis, Klitschko, GGG, Darchinyan. Mayweather, Pacquaio and even Alvarez held these titles, but for about two seconds before they vacated them to go after a real belt.
BigJ
Roar Guru
thought about this one a lot and its time for a redo. so with taking another real looking at Green's career and with the addition of mundine v green 2 here is a revised list. 10 Green v Mundine 2 9. Green v Watts 8. Green v Tarvier 7. Green v Griffin 6. Green v Drews 5. Green v Flores 4. Green v Beyer 1 3. Green v Lucas 2. Green v Włodarczyk 1. Green v Roy Jones Jr
BigJ
Roar Guru
Having looked back at this article, I think now, wow was I ever clutching at straws to make this list. Green never really fought anybody of statue and when he did they were either over the hill or cutting to much weight to fight him. Its really sad that the three best fightss he put in the ring were three loses, Tarver (well not really but his most credible opponent), Beyer and Włodarczyk. Also he fought Drews for the WBA not WBC title, I thought I would clear that after almost a year, sorry.
Council
Guest
Welp looks like Danny Green doesn't live up to his reputation. You should see his worship here in Perth.
KingKongBundy
Guest
Mate did you actually watch the fight against Dominguez? he has the worst style I have ever seen in my life he was a joke and that was for a vacated title that means nothing ,the IBO is so laughable it doesn't even make you defend it to a number 1 contender Green just picked and choosed who he wanted and as Jason pointed out dragged a injured middleweight out of semi retirement to feed of the Mundine name.then Paul Briggs a guy who hadn't fought for 3 an a half years and was forced to retire for health reasons fights for this so called world title in a divison he had never fought in its really quite pathetic and shouldn't be taken serious WBA WBC and IBF is the real deal although you could start to mount a case for the WBO.Im with Jason eric lucas by far was Greens best win You say Green dominated him which is untrue Lucas was dominating Green until he stepped it up around round 5 and found an extra gear.But in all honesty I reckon Green has wasted his career he was a beast in the super mid divison in the early 2000,s and probably should have won more titles I really wanted to see him face Scott Pemberton around 2003/4 and also Jeff lacy but sadly in boxing the best fights don't always happen.His two knock outs of Jason DeLisle a man that at least fought for a real world title would surely be ahead of Dominguez and Griffen
BigJ
Roar Guru
well then evidence is clear the only two times he fought the full 200 lbs limit he gets his head kicked in, mind you thought those guys were probably close to 100kg by the fight so he would of given up about 7-8 kilos. thanks clearing the up though
Jason
Guest
No, Tarver tested positive for the Kayode fight which was 11 months after the Green massacre and again last year for the Cunningham fight. There is no evidence to suggest he was on anything when he fought Green, that result stands. Tarver wasn't stripped until after the Kayode fight.
BigJ
Roar Guru
true then he was disqualifed for that headbutt, His first IBO title figth against dominguez was pretty good
Fui2014
Guest
Green punching the daylights out of Beyer for 5 rounds before throwing it away was probably the best i saw of him.
BigJ
Roar Guru
luckily we have Kostya Tszyu and Fenech to fall back on
BigJ
Roar Guru
Tarver does not count as he was stripped for drug test failure, but in the Wlodarczyk he put up he good fight, but you are correct where are his great wins.??
rett
Guest
Green KOing a well past his best Roy Jones is "one of the best fights in Aussie history "? If that were anything like true then we as a nation should forget about the sweet science altogether.
Jason
Guest
Just the two fights at 200lbs Tarver and Wlodarczyk, both KO losses. Green was basically the only boxer who trained and prepared to fight at 85ish kgs. Ironic really when you consider his excuses for the Mundine loss, then he makes a career out of fighting men who are outside their preferred weight. This list has exposed Green, where are the great wins?
BigJ
Roar Guru
Again he reads the entire article and thats what he saids, uhh thats is pretty sad.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I agree with what you say there mate, Green has made a career with fighting people at catchweight and not fight them at the full weight limit. Especially when he was IBO Crusierweight champ I dont hink he had one fight and the 200lbs limit. So question remains is Green a fighter or fraud??
Jason
Guest
This list really highlights the difference in the quality of opponents between Green and Mundine and shows what a fraud Danny Green really is. 1. Roy Jones was in his 40's well and truly past his best, lost his next two and now fights guys well outside the top 100. 2. Dominguez was 32 in his final fight ranked 50 on boxrec, never fought for a world title.3 Stipe Drews was 34 also in his final fight, Johnny Lewis described him as the worst world champ I've ever seen, he appeared to make no effort to win the fight. Never a top ten fighter. 4 Wlodarczyk, probably Green's best effort along with Lucas, he finally steps up and fights a genuine top ten cruiserweight at 200lbs. Green was ahead on points before being KO'd, makes you wonder what he could have achieved at 200lbs instead of hiding at catchweight fighting bloated light heavyweights. 5. BJ Flores a solid part timer, IBO said no more catchweights must be 200lbs, so Green paid BJ extra to drop weight and he fought at his lowest career weight. Fight was closer than the judges scorecards, nothing to brag about. 6. Manny Siaca, Danny dragged him from rehab to cash in on the Mundine connection, Siaca had been fighting at middle weight, was given a few weeks to go to 84kg catchweight took a knee in the 3rd, got his money, bit of a farce really. 7 Otis Griifin, past his best, won just 6 from 22 after Green, never fought for a world title. 8. Lucas, Green's best win, Lucas a former WBC champ. 9. Shane Cameron, another who was forced to drop weight, fought Green at his lowest career weight. Not one fighter Danny Green has beaten has gone on to win a world title.
Farqueue
Guest
He was pointing out that you spelt Judah wrong...made him feel better.
BigJ
Roar Guru
you read that whole article and zab jada is you response?? well then please tell me what was kostya's best fight??
BigJ
Roar Guru
Green never fought zab jada you must be thinking of Kostya Tszyu