Man must wake up

[madjack]

Man must wake up

By GRANTLEE KIEZA

02apr02

Daily Telegraph

ANTHONY MUNDINE is fast and powerful. Roland Francis isn't and as expected played the role of human punching bag at Carrara on the Gold Coast last night.
The Man stopped the former South African policeman from Brisbane in eight one-sided rounds for the Pan Asian Boxing Association's super-middleweight (76kg) title.

The bout was as painful to watch as it must have been for Francis, walking up round after round like a sponge with legs, as Mundine hit him almost at will with sharp combinations.

Mismatches like this do no one's reputation much good especially the PABA, whose vice-president Derek Milham told me two weeks ago that Francis wasn't good enough to fight for their title but who changed his mind the next day and bobbed up last night as the referee.

Milham stopped the fight with one second left in the eighth round but should have stopped it two weeks before the bell rang. Francis tried hard but time and time again had his features distorted by the contemptuous Mundine's faster hands and better footwork.

Francis had just three fights in three years going into last night's bout and was taken to a split decision in a six-round preliminary contest by novice Jamie Guy in his last outing.

Little wonder TV bosses demand Mundine fight better opposition such as Ricky Thornberry, Danny Green or Sam Soliman.

Where I watched the bout most of the patrons were taking very little notice of the action on the screen, even when the fight ended with a brief melee between rival camps after a confrontation involving Mundine and former world champ Lester Ellis.

[Matt]

It can be said that Anthony Mundine is a talented fighter. However he appears to be a far cry from what he proclaims to be. For Mundine to call himself "The Greatest" is an insult to all fighters past and present. If Mundine thinks he will sink gently into boxing immortality with a high level of public support, he is greatly mistaking. Ali was and still is an exception to almost every rule. For Mundine to compare himself to Ali is just rediculous. There doesn't appear to be anything that special about Mundine beyond his marketablilty.

Anthony appears to work well when given a target (almost anyone can look good when hitting a punching bag.) When faced with a creative and elusive fighter like Sammy, Anthony indeed apears Mundane. Sam Soliman is constantly moving to the right away from the rear hand, slips around punches well and with confidence. Sam does have power, along with an ability to throw punches quickly from odd angles.
How Mundine could possibly move on from his poor performance against Soliman and continue in his arrogant manner makes me wonder if Mundine might already be a bit punchy from his few outings. Does he think the rest of the world is as blind as the judges who awarded the fight to the looser?

It does not surprise me that Mundine is trying to make a name for himself by fighting yesterdays legends; Fenech and Ellis. I think Mundine would do well to take the advise given by Greg Folley in the latest issue of International KB: "I believe you make a name for yourself by fighting the people who want to fight you." It would seem that if Mundine is serious about establishing himself as a credible World Champion he should rematch Sam Soliman, fight the likes of Danny Green and others.

Well thats my 2 cents. What does everyone else think? Should Mundine be fighting Lester? If he does beat him what has he proved? Could Lester win at this stage of his life?

Matt.

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[JANER]

I agree but to a point. Mundine won that fight. Watch it again and dont be biased, it was a very close fight but Sam did not through more than a handful of CLEAN punches. Mundine being in his home town did influence the decision, but the call was close and fair. No reamatch as Soliman is the most scrappy fighter to watch. Top bloke but I cant stand watching his fights.

[Matt]

I agree with you that Sam is not an orthodox fighter. Yet you would have to say that if nothing else he exposed a lack of boxing knowledge in Mundine. Agree?

I have not had a chance to see the fight when Mundine got knocked out in his World Title shot. I think I heared somewhere that his opponent was a training partner of Solimans. Did he fight Mundine in a similar elusive style to Sam, or did he stand and box him?

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[JANER]

Matt, I suppose Soliman did open up Mundine. Mundine did not look any good the last few rounds as soliman worked alot more harder!

As for the sven Ottke fight, even the referee was against him! The ref deducted an accidental "head butt/ head lock" without any warning at all!! The when you watch the replay, Ottke's corner gave a wink to the referee! shonky or what! As for the scorecards, Mundine was very competitive throughout the fight, he dropped ottke in the 9th round and the ref called it a slip! Up until the 10th round it would of gone either way, thats how close it was! untill the knock out.... need i say more. As for the style of fighter, ottke is an in your face fighter, not evasive like soliman but come forward without MUCH angle.

As for mundine waking up, my opinion is that he has gone a very long way within 12fights. He has beaten Australias best ( except briggs!!) so far... eg Ian Macleod, Sam Soliman, Marg Bargero. However, he hasnt won a world title yet. He is not mohamed ali and nor is he greater than bradman. Mundine has the mouth of a huge sub-woofer but no where near as he as good as he thinks he is.

However, Mundine is a good fighter. Cant deny that.

[Matt]

Yeah. As my girlfrinds father says about me (jokingly)
"Cocky little barsted, ain't he!"
<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

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[sooty]

Hey Matt... Mate i love ya Quote. "But" does he wash em after he's finished? lol

Cheers
Sooty

[Matt]

Gee, I hope so!!!
That was in a movie when Don tried to sign Foreman to fight Ali in the toilets. After they both had a wiz and King passed the pen to Foreman to sign, Big George asked if he was going to wash his hands....

So are we ever gonna see Iron Mark in action again?!

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[sooty]

Osu Matt,
Not real sure at the moment. I would love to contest the Australian Knockdown Championships in Oct this year! I have been doing a strength & weight routine over the last 9 months, due to a Rotor cuff tear in 3 places ( in april 1999) I had to basically train like a novice for 24 odd months just to get back to normal so to speak. Although now, I train 3 times a week with the TFA dojo, ( Hallford & Maizey) doing Knockdown so they certainly keep me on my toe's. But i would love to contest Kyokushin Knockdown at this level again.. with regards to re-entering the Kickboxing world... i am realistic in this area... my forte has always been Kyokushinkai, as i have always considered my 35 odd kickboxing/thai fights as an extra. The new models with brand new engines training today are very demanding ,, even with limited training.

Osu
Mark