Anthony Mundine: A New Man?
 By Luke Dodemaide, (May 17, 2006)
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Photo © BlackSuperman.com
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Anthony “the Man” Mundine is many things. A former world champion fighter, a former champion Rugby League player, a business entrepreneur, an aspiring rapper, a human headline. Though as a boxer, a public personality and the most talented fighter in the 168 pound division, he often appears a man lost somewhere between who he is, who he wants to be and who he’s trying to shamelessly plagiarise. Older Australians and boxing purists cringe at his Muhammad Ali copy-cat impressions, and younger fight fans are insulted by his countless non-credited references to Roy Jones Jnr; even if he is partly trained by Roy Jones Snr.
Though Mundine is an undisputed talent, he is one without a niche in the Australian public. Anthony Mundine occupies a rare status in not just Australian sport, but society. He is both the country’s most controversial athlete, as well as perhaps- rightly or wrongly- the most hated. Embroiled in a culture that unlike any other, demonises outspokenness to such an extent that his words towards the 9/11 attacks almost seemed to have warranted crucifixion. They were put in such an exaggerated and dizzying light, that one would have thought a single boxers word threatened US and Australian bilateral relations, that at the time was the single subject at the pillar of Australian politics before the federal election.
When he gets before a camera, he’s like that nephew at the family gathering who you hope won’t swear or say something stupid at the table in front of your elder family members, but more often than not does.
Even with Mundine’s glaring talent, he’s always found a way to over shadow it with an outlandish statement or action. Even after a magnificent performance, he finds it easier to be rained in bottles rather than applause, which was the case in his last fight.
Mundine has somehow let the Australian and boxing eye stray from his skill to his squabbles. Call it self promotion, but it’s also self injustice. Mundine is a talented fighter and I think on Wednesday night, he’ll finally let his fists do the talking.
While Mundine’s competition is repeatedly questioned, the fact is that with names on his record like Antwun Echols, Sven Ottke, Manny Siaca, Mikkel Kessler and Sam Soliman, he boasts more renowned boxers than that of Danny Green, who’s only real ranked opponents are Markus Beyer and Eric Lucas. Cleary the tale of Mundine’s inferior opposition as apposed to Green’s is simply a myth. Their strike rate against top line competition is similar when comparing Green and Mundine, however when you couple Mundine’s premature push into the title scene and his immature development as a fighter, his performances appear more impressive.
After each defeat, Mundine comes back a superior fighter. Emerging from the rubble each time an upgraded edition of himself. Version 1.0 who fought Oktte didn’t yet realise how to capitalise on his speed and wasn’t yet mentally committed to the sport. He crumbled under the pressure cooker atmosphere of Dortumond, Germany in losing via an embarrassing tenth round stoppage to Sven Ottke, after mocking his opponents punching power saying he “hit like a girl”.
Version 2.0 is the chapter containing the so far, the defining win of his career. Wearing a couple of punches before winning a comfortable decision in his encounter with Antwun Echols, he lifted his first and only world title. It was an impressive and somewhat suprising performance. He went into the fight underdog, but never looked it.
In the opening minutes of the Manny Siaca fight, his speed appeared blinding and his potential mesmerising. But three minutes later he found himself on the canvas. Another eight rounds and he found himself needing to rise to the occasion. Again like in the Ottke fight, he failed to step it up.
Version 3.0 showed a little more resolve. Even in defeat to Mikkel Kessler and while the result was not disputed, it was respectable. Mundine stood to his Dane’s best punches and even snatched some significant rounds down the stretch.
Finally after a third defeat. Mundine was left to acknowledge he was human. And if he know’s he’s human, perhaps he can find himself somewhere between his Ali impressions and Roy Jones caricatures. Two strikes didn’t do it, but a third may be the overdue wake up call. If he commits his body and mind to the sport, Version 4.0 can be anything, including a two time super middleweight champion of the world.
I know it’s uncommon to draw encouragement from a bout that ultimately saw a fighter drop his title challenge, but as a late comer to the sport, Mundine’s game is still developing. His thirty years are deceiving. He never had an amateur career and at twenty three he was still playing Rugby League; as the highest payed player in the sport. Naturally, Mundine’s an athlete rather than a fighter. Though even so, against Kessler he showed enough heart in the trenches to suggest he can’t simply be overpower or intimidated against Danny Green. To use a cliché, he’s learning the ropes. And on Wednesday night, he may graduate, teaching Danny Green a lesson.
The key between comparing Mundine and Green’s career, ultimately up to the time where their paths finally cross, is their progression. Will Mundine continues to improve, Green has often been said to have lost a stride or two after his shutout victory over Sean Sullivan, where he was submitted to hospital after the fight suffering heat exhaustion. Does that bout still haunt Green’s physical wellbeing? Even this fight was postponed due to a back injury. So while the Green who dissected and dominated Eric Lucas in Montreal would certainly pose Mundine problems, is it unrealistic to expect this kind of performance from the Green Machine tomorrow night? Even an advent Green supporter would admit the Machine can’t beat the Man with any screws loose.
I believe the underlining and forgotten facet of this bout is the very reason why Mundine will win it. Green has never faced anybody like Mundine before, while every conventional fighter draws comparisons with Danny Green. Green’s unfamiliarity is the x-factor. Can he adjust? Mundine knows what he’s going to face, his loss to Kessler- a similar if more polished fighter than Green- may pay dividends here in the biggest domestic fight in Australia’s history. And by facing Green, it may then be the perfect preview for him before his mandatory rematch with Mikkel Kessler later this year, should he be the victor tomorrow.
With the speed and penetration of Mundine’s jab, it must be asked how much will this affect Green ability to “get off” his punches. It is certain to upset his rhythm, and if Mundine applys considerable lateral movement, Green will have only have to further adapt his offense to be effective. At this point in his career Mundine is capable of executing an intelligent game plan. From the opening rounds, it’s extremely important that Mundine determines how the fight is to be fought and dictates the pace and patterns of the bout. As Roy Jones Snr was one of the sculptors of his son’s- Jones Jnr- aggressive and artistic approach, this knowledge in his corner could prove priceless to Mundine’s chances. For Mundine’s strategy to be truly effective, he must not only befuddle Green, but command his respect. It’s a delicate line between simply solidifying your stance and overcompensating and slipping into a battle a boxer-rather than a fighter- doesn’t want to be in. Though since Mundine has never been known- and will never be known- as the kind of boxer who gives into temptation and brawls, it only enhances the indication that Mundine will remain nothing but loyal and obedient to the best blueprint for victory.
I also think Mundine’s offense is also less apprehensive than that of Danny Green. He fires his shots at from a much smoother stance and position, in a fight that in the careers of the two fighters, is unrivalled in anticipation, it should see Mundine slip into rhythm earlier than Green, at least allowing him to bank early rounds. Also while Mundine’s defense, which consists predominantly of staying swiftly out of range, could cause Green some problems. Presumably this will see Green take Mundine to the ropes, an area where he is not as comfortable nor as a effective as he’s made out to be. Green’s best range is similar to Mundine’s, ultimately the winner will be the man who puts his pawns in the right places, winning the battle in the centre of the ring.
This is a fight that is not only Mundine’s chance to show his maturity, but finally end the debate on who’s the best super middleweight in the nation. In twelve rounds or less, Mundine can grow as a boxer. And then in the aftermath he can grow as a person, where put upon a more heightened stage than ever before, as already a man of many men, imagine if he emerges a humble victor? What a welcome twist that would be. This success finally seeing him spring from the cocoon of controversy his own actions have imprisoned himself in, as the relief of this victory prompts his more pure persona. Finally dropping his many masks and showing the true face of “the Man”.
So what will a victory over Danny Green unveil? Will it see him emerge as a previously unthinkable eminent personality. Perhaps the next linear Super Middleweight Champion of the world. Hell, maybe even “Australia’s own”.
Version 4.0 might even be worth the family sitting around the table and waiting for.
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