madjack
03-06-2002, 04:39 AM
Mundine loses local support
By ADAM DAFF
31may02
The Australian
ANTHONY MUNDINE has lost the support of many his own people because "he is a loudmouth" who has yet to prove himself.
hat was the view from the streets of Redfern in inner Sydney yesterday where Mundine is in training for a fight against former world middleweight contender Darren Obah at the Whitlam Centre in Sydney's western suburbs next Monday night.
Several members of Redfern's Aboriginal community agreed that although Mundine was an inspiration to children he had brought shame to "his people" because of the way he'd conducted himself.
"I'm happy that he's doing well in sport, but a lot of Kooris don't like him and the way he says things," Aaron Gordon said.
"It's not really our way to talk, we get out and do it."
Other Aborigines believe Mundine shunned his community when he became a Muslim.
"Muslims have been here for a while but our culture has been here for 40,000 years. We've been pushed around by Catholics and others and he chooses to be a Muslim - what's wrong with being an Aboriginal?" Marty Thomas, from Redfern, said.
Maria Haines said Mundine was not a help to his community. "They (the Mundines) never do anything for the community, and if they do they have it too far away so the kids can't go. He's a loudmouth who keeps mouthing off - his father never went on like that," she said.
Obah said since he accepted the invitation to fight "The Man" he has received hundreds of calls, from around Australia, from people who wanted him to "bash" Mundine.
Obah, who is from Mossman, outside Cairns in far northern Queensland, said he was amazed about the depth of feeling Mundine generates - particularly among the Aboriginal community.
"Aboriginal people have been calling and wanting me to do the job on him," Obah said.
"They're saying he's too cheeky and even racist for putting down people like Don Bradman.
"They reckon it's only shaming Aborigines."
In response to the criticism Mundine said: "I know who I am as a man. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm gracious to my fellow human beings.
"I try to better my community ... and a man who does those things, can't have no-one judge him but his creator."
Father and trainer Tony Mundine said: "He is his own man. He's had a few bad things over his career but he will learn by his mistakes and carry on and become a world champion."
By ADAM DAFF
31may02
The Australian
ANTHONY MUNDINE has lost the support of many his own people because "he is a loudmouth" who has yet to prove himself.
hat was the view from the streets of Redfern in inner Sydney yesterday where Mundine is in training for a fight against former world middleweight contender Darren Obah at the Whitlam Centre in Sydney's western suburbs next Monday night.
Several members of Redfern's Aboriginal community agreed that although Mundine was an inspiration to children he had brought shame to "his people" because of the way he'd conducted himself.
"I'm happy that he's doing well in sport, but a lot of Kooris don't like him and the way he says things," Aaron Gordon said.
"It's not really our way to talk, we get out and do it."
Other Aborigines believe Mundine shunned his community when he became a Muslim.
"Muslims have been here for a while but our culture has been here for 40,000 years. We've been pushed around by Catholics and others and he chooses to be a Muslim - what's wrong with being an Aboriginal?" Marty Thomas, from Redfern, said.
Maria Haines said Mundine was not a help to his community. "They (the Mundines) never do anything for the community, and if they do they have it too far away so the kids can't go. He's a loudmouth who keeps mouthing off - his father never went on like that," she said.
Obah said since he accepted the invitation to fight "The Man" he has received hundreds of calls, from around Australia, from people who wanted him to "bash" Mundine.
Obah, who is from Mossman, outside Cairns in far northern Queensland, said he was amazed about the depth of feeling Mundine generates - particularly among the Aboriginal community.
"Aboriginal people have been calling and wanting me to do the job on him," Obah said.
"They're saying he's too cheeky and even racist for putting down people like Don Bradman.
"They reckon it's only shaming Aborigines."
In response to the criticism Mundine said: "I know who I am as a man. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm gracious to my fellow human beings.
"I try to better my community ... and a man who does those things, can't have no-one judge him but his creator."
Father and trainer Tony Mundine said: "He is his own man. He's had a few bad things over his career but he will learn by his mistakes and carry on and become a world champion."