If any of the sporting public remained sanguine about the terrible neurological effects a boxing career can have on a person, surely that’s come to an end now that Anthony Mundine has announced his intention to make a comeback to rugby league.
That Mundine could think that returning to the NRL at the age of 42, seventeen years after his last game, was a good idea, is a sign of one of two things:
1. Far too many blows to the head in the intervening time period, or
2. Being a bit of a dickhead in general
Who knows where the truth lies? We probably won’t know until decades in the future when scientists have Mundine’s brain in a Tupperware container. But what we can say for sure is: for god’s sake, man, stop.
It’s bad enough that he still wants to box at his age. There’s something deeply wrong, something grotesque and unwholesome, about an industry that is willing to continue investing financially in the prospect of Anthony Mundine and Danny Green hitting each other again.
The first time they fought each other it already seemed like an idea whose time had passed. The second time they fought each other it felt like rebooting The Addams Family with the original cast.
If they throw in for another bout, boxing may slip below bear-baiting on the ladder of cruel and unusual blood sports.
(AAP Image/David Mariuz)
But then, boxing is boxing. Where normal sports outlaw the deliberate attacking of the head, boxing stands up and says, “Yes, inflicting brain injury is the entire aim and purpose of our sport, and we could not be prouder of ourselves for it.”
When neurological damage is your raison d’etre, nobody can be too shocked that you’re not all that fussy about pushing the limits of what might be considered a nauseating public spectacle.
But outside the perverse world of boxing, let us hope a little bit of sanity still reigns. Let us hope that Mundine’s dream of becoming once more an elite leaguie will never reach fruition.
It’s not that I have no respect for Mundine’s previous achievements in the league realm. In his day, Mundine was a tremendously exciting player; if he wasn’t the most skilful five-eighth in the competition, he was at least the most annoying, and that has to count for something.
And he was responsible for one of the most uplifting moments in rugby league history; when he blew an easy try-scoring opportunity in the 1999 grand final that ended up costing St George Illawarra the premiership, millions of hearts were warmed.
But he’s done. He had his turn.
It might be acceptable for a sporting star to switch sports for a bit and then come back. Jarryd Hayne can spend a year chasing his NFL dream before deciding that league is really his bag after all.
But crucially, Jarryd Hayne did not spend seventeen years in the NFL, and Jarryd Hayne is not in his forties.
Even Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor, when they went from league to union and back again, didn’t leave their first sport so far in the rearview mirror.
What I fear most is the example being set. I myself am a man of what, in sporting terms, might be called advanced years. And I myself am mulling the thought of returning to the rugby field before I give up on physical activity for life. So maybe you’re thinking, hey, Mundine must be a real inspiration to you, hey?
No. That’s not how it works. A Mundine comeback, to me, would be nothing but a reminder that my physical condition, as compared to Mundine’s, is as a tubercular weasel is compared to a silverback gorilla in the prime of life. It would be a discouragement to my own meagre efforts to get back in the game.
Because Mundine is seeking to return to the world of professional football, rather than doing the only decent thing for a decrepit fortysomething: joining a suburban league and trotting amiably about muddy paddocks for one’s remaining years of functioning joints.
For Mundine to mix it with the best week in and week out would be an act of betrayal of all of us who believe we still have something to offer the sporting world as long as we keep our expectations low.
And besides all other considerations: do we really want to see a 42-year-old man being bashed from pillar to post, and risking serious long-term injury, every week? In theory, no.
But if Mundine is the 42-year-old man, then I very much fear we’re going to end up enjoying the aforementioned bashing very much indeed, and it’s just not fair to make us experience such shameful joy.
For all our sakes, Anthony, please give up this mad scheme, and stick to what you’re best at: talking nonsense.
Dave Peachey
Guest
I remember it well Cronulla leading at half time, then Mundine scores 3 tries and sets up another, Ray Warren said "never before have I seen someone dominate 40 minutes of footbaall the way Anthony Mundine did today"
BrainsTrust
Guest
I thought Mundine was a better rugby league player than he was a boxer, not that I would rank him with the top league players, but the level beneath. I don;t think he would improved with age, I think Mundine relied on his athletiscm and would have ended up like Benji Marshall once he lost that. He was better making the switch as a boxer Mundines mouth has earnt millions in boxing whereas it didn't earn him any extra in rugby league. If anyone remembers Jeff Fenech now he was a shocker as a rugby league player, according to some he was a promising player in his youth known for his passing, however whether they made that up or as a result of boxing he lost the ability to pass the ball is not clear. Mundine has a long way to go to be up there with the best in offering to make come backs at an advanced age.. No 2 would be Viv Richards , though I haven;t heard of him offering to play for the Windies at a world cup for quite a while. No 1 would be Pele, though recent his most recent offer to come back and help Brazil get their first Olympic gold was not serious, Pele has form in the past,
Bloody R Bull
Roar Rookie
Choc, you've been there and only got as far as your talent would take you (same as boxing). Give the Aussie (white, black, yellow & blue) Peiple a break, retire and preach Islam or help your Aussie young people inspire to get of their bums.
bearfax
Guest
I saw Cliff Lyons make Mundine look ordinary a couple of times and especially in the 7s played in the 1990s, when Mundine was in his early 20s.
jeff dustby
Guest
i am pretty sure Fittler, Barrett and Lockyer and Daley were ahead of him
Gary
Guest
We all know that Matty Johns got picked ahead of Mundine because Mundine excluded him self (not knowingly) by having a larger than tolerable ego and by not stepping up in the 1999 grand final when it mattered most. Race had nothing to do with it, talent had nothing to do with it, personality and reliability had every thing to do with it. That said- I'm a massive fan of choc and love his ability to keep in the headlines. The sad thruth is that he has been far to generous with his cash over the years, has plenty of family who have their hands out and has probably only just realised that his window of earning big coin is nearly closed.
Farqueue
Guest
He's probably still bitter about not getting picked for Australia at end of 99 season. They selected Matty John's instead...A guy who wasn't half the player he was. Disgraceful. In his five years in first grade the dragons never lost a game with him opposing Laurie Daley and Brad fittler at 5/8. As a dragons fan I thank him for his time. Keep hating people. His words offended your poor little souls.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Actually he might go OK. In attack he could use both hands to palm off defenders while carrying the ball in his mouth.
A keeper
Guest
Mundine's brain in a tupperware container- i wondered what that was at the back of the fridge!
Herman Hoth
Guest
Reminds me of one I read a while ago: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/05/18/the-cowboys-discover-the-nrl-is-no-country-for-old-men/
bearfax
Guest
My mistake Mick. I dont know what I was thinking. I'll wash my grey cells out with soap immediately
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I'm with Mick , Con .
Realist1975
Guest
All i know is that i wished he never played the 1999 Preliminary Final against Cronulla.
Christov
Guest
I am hoping the Knights sign him up, it would be great. Let him trial out, if he can indeed play he will make the cut
Chui
Guest
Misty water coloured memories from dear Anthony. A tool to the end
Britexit
Guest
Surely he was taking the piss...
Kerin Ross
Guest
The older We get ! The wiser . We start to slow down and pee a bit more than usual . We have embrassing moments and say things that nobody can understand ?? Dream of day s gone by and old mate that have passed , Oh if only I was 20 years younger , I could play foot-ball and sing like a nighting-gail and dance all night MEMORIES ???
Nostradamus
Guest
Poor Old Mundine, His Boxing Career is basically over and he just desperate to stay relevant (for the want of a better word). The Real Truth is he was a good athlete in both sports but not great in either, The only time he fought for a legitimate title in his prime he got knocked out. And as far as I know he hasn't played league in Origin or For Australia.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Some don't get sarcasm Mick the clown
Mick the clown
Guest
2x issues with what you write. 1) "he is only concerned with 1 thing himself". - google the words "anthony mundine cousin car under seat gift" He obviously cares about more than just himself. He hides cash inside peoples cars and doesn't tell them. 2) "If he thinks he is so good let him test himself at a koori carnival and see how he goes.". Issue is that Anthony does not "think" he is good. he KNOWS he is good. Just ask him.