Anthony Mundine left the ring having lost his long-awaited second clash over ten rounds with Danny Green at Adelaide Oval last night by decision.
But he won’t find too many sympathetic to his cause after being a right royal pain in the butt throughout his rugby league and boxing careers.
Why this very talented sportsman went out of his way to be so controversial, rude and rub so many people up the wrong way will always remain a mystery.
Especially as his father Tony is one of the all-time great Australian sportsmen and remained modest throughout.
But father and son are like chalk and cheese.
Tony was a great mate of Rex Mossop and a regular guest during the 60s and 70s on the Sports Action program every Sunday morning on Channel Seven.
It was compulsory viewing in those days, so Tony became both well-known and highly respected outside the ring.
That made him so popular that when he fought for the world middleweight title against Carlos Monzon in Buenos Aires in 1974, there was a massive wave of nation-wide support.
But when Tony was knocked out in the seventh round, the great Australian knocker was born.
“Glass jaw”, “Told you he couldn’t fight, no courage”, and “What an imposter” were some of the rotten comments that flowed.
Tony didn’t let on, but you cold see the vitriol really hurt, it cut deep. What’s more, he didn’t deserve the barrage.
Tony has been the rock behind Anthony’s career on the way to world titles, and no matter what you think of ‘The Man’ or ‘Choc’, he’s been a multi-world champion.
It’s just a pity he hasn’t been a chip off the old block on the way.
Presumably it’s the end of the road for both Anthony Mundine and Danny Green at 41 and 43 respectively.
And, of course, the farewell fight had to be controversial.
Mundine’s first-round left hook when Green wasn’t looking as he was being pulled away from a clinch by referee Frank Garza was a cheap shot that cost Mundine a point.
Midway through the bout, Green was also docked a point for a cheap elbow. It was on until the final bell.
But there had to one more controversial moment – and it didn’t disappoint.
One judge called it 94-94, a second 96-94 for Green, but it was the third in favour of Green that came from left field – 98-90.
What fight was he watching?
Boxing always seems to find a way of shooting itself in the foot.
So Anthony Mundine bows out as a former world champion with a 55-bout career for 47 wins, 27 by knock-out, and eight losses.
Danny Green finished with a smile as wide as Sydney Heads. He bows out as a former world champion after 41 bouts for 36 wins, 28 by knock-out, and five losses.
And the quote of the night came from Green himself, “I’m feeling 53, tomorrow I’ll feel 63, but for whatever how long I’ve got in life I’m going to feel 23”.
GS
Guest
People here don't even know boxing rules. In rd1 the ref never called BREAK or STOP therefore it's protect yourself at all times. The ref said let go to Greens headlock, which in Pro boxing means it's still active and he needs to let go and the boxers fight out in the inside. Green got Sparked and should have received a count- which he would not have made. All this is undeniable. And even so, Mundine controlled the next 10 rounds anyhow. So who promoted this fight ???????? Again, undeniable
Ben
Roar Guru
Yeah, and Green also said that the dr said "I'm going to stop the fight"... But then Green told him he "can't stop it"... Anyone that has ever boxed in this country will tell you that when a dr says it's over... IT'S OVER. What aload of bs. Like anything that comes out of Greens mouth. He'll say and do anything to get gullible people on his side. While we're on the subject, we'll see what else you believe that has come out of Danny's mouth. Here are some of the lies that Green has told over the years. I want you to reply "true" to the lies that you actually believe, and false to the ones you don't: 1. Out of the 20 SMW fights Green had. He was only "weight drained" for one of them. True or False? 2. He "knew" that Antonio Tarver was on steroids when they fought. Even though Tarver passed EVERY drug test involved in their fight. True or False? 3. He's fought the best in each division he has fought in. True or False? 4. Paul Briggs really felt that he was a chance, and was coming to "knock" Green out. True or False? 5. When they fought, Roy Jones Jnr was a current "superstar"? True or False? 6. Mundine was "scared" of Green - and probably still is - for 16 years. Even after he wiped the floor with Green in 2006, then beat him well in their rematch. True or False? 7. Stipe Drews didn't throw a punch because he was scared of Greens power. True or False? 8. Paul Briggs didn't take a dive. It was the pure power from the graze of Danny Greens glove that ko'd him. True or False? 9. Green honestly believe that he had won that fight the other night "fair and square". True or False? 10. Danny Green is a "top guy". True or False? I can't wait for your answers!
rock
Guest
Mate, Green has even admitted that he was concussed from the blow. And, the Dr's at fights miss a whole lot of concussions as they have so limited of time to do a test. Have a look at how long now concussion tests are done in contact sports, dr's usually take 5 mins to test a player - not 30 sec to a minute that ringside dr's do.
Ted
Guest
It's only a little thing but I often wonder why Mundine never mentions his mother whom as I recall was a lovely lady who was an ornament to his father and always backed her wayward and obnoxious son!
bobburra
Guest
At the end of the, if Green was as concussed as it has been suggested after that punch in the 1st. it says more about Mundines' lack of of ability "to put Green away" I would say. Green continued on, Mundine could not finish him, then complains about a "crooked result". Besy you go back and look at yourself Mundine, not good enough to finish a bloke when you put in that position. Oh well that's been Mundine over the years, blame anything & anybody except yourself. So be it.
Ben
Roar Guru
The only times Green has fought guys his size or bigger, he's been flogged. He got RJJ with a good punch. But you're right, it did get stopped early. It was disappointing (but not suprising) the way Green portrayed RJJ. RJJ is a very down to earth guy and his prime, Green wouldn't have been good enough to even be his sparring partner.
Johnno
Guest
Ben Maybe he fights small in his weight division I don't know, he caught Roy Jones at end of career I thought though the Roy Jones thing was a dud, the Ref called off the fight to soon, who knows what may of happened that happens in boxing sometimes the ref calls of the fight to early. Danny Green when aged 38 in 2011 got his ass kicked by 42-yr old past his prime but still good Antonio Tarver(future hall of famer).
The duad
Guest
Green may feel 23 for the rest of his life, but he will also know deep inside for the rest of his life that he lost that fight no matter what anybody else says. Green was bleeding,he was spent, he was out on his feet and he didnt come down in weight so Mundine had to make the up the difference. Greens camp didnt adjust the ring size to meet the the mundines camp request for a 20x20 ring. they originally wanted bigger but the Mundine camp compromised, The ring size ended up 16x16 So Mundine had to take up the Greens camps slack. Everything was stacked against Mundine from the start. The judge didnt deduct the point on round seven from the score card. Another judge was so far amiss with the scoring it was outrageous. How Green can take any pride out of that fight is beyond any fair minded person. Just to make the point that Any pride Green takes from that fight is false pride, every boxer or knowledgeable person has said inc. Jeff Fenech, Mundine was robbed. Not just a little but by a country mile. Mundine can feel truely proud of that fight, Mundine can also feel totally outraged at the result. Maybe Mundine was right about a lot of things in his career, not everything, but a lot more that he was given credit for. Have gained more respect for Mundine and lost a truck load of respect for Green.
Ben
Roar Guru
He never made excuses as to why he lost them fights... He gave straight up answers. Something Green has never done. Ottke wasn't keen on rematching Mundine and retired undefeated, as a Super Champion 2 years later.
BigJ
Roar Guru
He had no excuse for the Clottey or Hatley fight, he just plain lost, he got guts no doubt, but he lost pain and simple. He was winning that Ottke fight but just got caught with a lucky punch, that happens but again he still lost and never got a rematch.
Ben
Roar Guru
He beat a 6kg heavier, favoured fighter last night. You're one of 6 people in Australia that thinks he didn't. You're looking very silly.
Ben
Roar Guru
He admittedly went into the Clottey fight with a poor attitude. A fight he should've easily won. He got knocked down 5 times in that fight. He got up 5 times. When has your lover boy been knocked down more than once, and got up? Never! Hatley beat a Mundine that had severe tennis elbow and could only train a few times a week. He looked ill, he was that unfit. 15 months after starting boxing, he fought Sven Ottke. Ottke was one of the greatest amateur fighters of all time. He was 34-0 as a pro... he'd been boxing for over 20 YEARS. Mundine was beating him before that punch. Kessler was the most fear SMW on the planet. He was big, strong, fast and powerful. He was a monster! This was the 2nd best fight of Chocs career... 2nd to last night's fight. Green refused to fight Kessler. Which was understandable because Green made a career from fighting the SMALLEST champions in each division. He NEVER even attempted to fight the best.
BigJ
Roar Guru
true, but he got the crap kicked out of him by Clottey whom came out retirement to fight him and three years of inactivity and then Hatley beat him to a pulp and he was a novice at best. His best opposition was Ottke and Kesler and he lost both
Johnno
Guest
He didn't get flogged by Kessler, he went 12 rounds and lost on points.
BigJ
Roar Guru
god lets hope not
tigranes
Guest
If that was supposed to be the pinnacle of boxing in Australia, then the sport has problems.....
BigJ
Roar Guru
do you even know what an uncle tom is?? Mundine is a good boxer not a great one, the same with footy. His has made a career one being good not great. He never made the australian team in the NRL so he left and in his boxing career the second his met someone of world class he got flogged. Good career not great. He couldnt not beat a half concused Green last night.
HarryT
Guest
He is an Aboriginal Muslim who doesn't drink or smoke and who speaks his mind. A shock jock's wet dream. He is actually an excellent role model for indigenous kids just like his father.
Ben
Roar Guru
Yes, Mundine would've been DQ'd in that case. But if you knew the actual rules of boxing, you would realize the referee had made the wrong call in taking a point. Had Green have stayed down, technically it should've been a KO win to Choc, as the referee hadn't called "break" before the punch was thrown.
Ben
Roar Guru
So, are you saying that the doctor... Someone that has studied for 8 years and is OBLIGATED to stop the fight when someone is concussed... was wrong? I didn't know you could get PHD's playing footy. But clearly you should go tell the doctor he was wrong... I'll also clarify something for you, considering you don't know much about boxing. If the referee hasn't called "break", it's free game. The referee didn't call break at all. It was cheap, yes. But not illegal. That was poor refereeing.