29 June 2008

Don "Kid" Young writes:

A two time World Champion, ranked the number #3 super-middleweight on the planet by the boxing bible "The Ring Magazine", a pay-per-view regular, winner of the biggest fight in Australian boxing history, a multi-millionare and top of that an elite professional athlete.

To the regular everyday Australian the career accomplishments of Anthony "The Man" Mundine are to be looked at in absolute awe, actually to any person those stats are quite impressive. But, when analysed in further detail the legitimacy surrounding the Aboriginal Idol’s claims as one of boxings best seem to be rather suspect. Despite having won two WBA World super-middleweight crowns and being by far the countries most well known professional pugilist, alot of criticism has been thrown at "The Man" of late.

Lets take our minds back to 2001 when Mundine first fought for a WHICH version of the World Title against Sven Ottke in Dortmund, Germany. Mundine being knocked out unconscious cold in the 10th. Later, Ottke was to unify the division by defeating the WBA champion Byron Mitchell by split decision. The WBA created a super-champion (many allege this is just a grab for more sanction fees) for any fighter that was champion of at least two versions of the World Title, therefore giving Mundine a shot at the now vacant WBA world title.IN xxXX. Most of the boxing purists found this laughable. Nevertheless, the fight went ahead with Mundine beating Antwon Echols by points decision. After a safe optional defence, Mundine fought hard-hitting Puerto Rican Manny Siaca. Mundine was floored in the 2nd round, en route to losing on a split points decision loss. After this bout Ottke retired, therefore making Siaca the official champion. Six months later, Siaca defending his crown against undefeated Mikkel Kessler in the unfamiliar territory of Denmark. Siaca was dominated and eventually surrendered his throne by not answering the bell for the 8th round. Mundine was now the mandatory challenger for the title, therefore Mundine got a third shot at a world title in Sydney in 2005. Kessler dominated Mundine from the opening bell, winning a unanimous points decision.

Shortly after, Kessler unified the division by knocking out Danny Green conqueror, Markus Beyer, in three rounds, therefore being elevated to the status of super- champion by the WBA, leaving the WBA world title vacant once more. Mundine was the mandatory for the newly vacant title, fighting of against the once-creditable Melburnian and Contender Bronze Medalist and blown up middleweight Sam "King" Soliman, after winning by 9th round knockout, Putting all of this under the microscope. If the WBA had not made the super-champion category, Mundine would’ve never become a World Champion up to date and would’ve always been the bridesmaid.

Fast forward 14 months later and the story-line hasn’t changed with Mundine remarkably having 4 consecutive voluntary defences of his supposed world title against fighters who weren’t ranked in the top 10 and two of which were Australians (Nader Hamden, and Sam Soliman for a third time) and the another two being unheralded Argentineans.

So is The Man ... really the man ? Lets look at the events take took place after Mundines last defence.

On May 28th, 2008 on a cold winter night in Melbourne under the bright lights of Vodafone Arena, Australia tuned in to watch what was surely going to be a trademark performance by Mundine against the rejuvenated, but overmatched Soliman. Instead Australia was treated to a dull, tactical chessmatch; that was only outshone by Mundines lacklustre showing in which he still retained his World Championship.

Afterward, he still claimed he was the best and that he had decided to relinquish his throne to go after the so called "bigger fish" (actually littler ones) at middleweight. This writer questions the motive behind his decision to go down in weight rather than deal with the real unfinished business in the super-middleweight division.

Fighter-Online now gives you an insight on the fighters that Mundine will be avoiding by dropping down a division:

1. Mikkel "The Viking Warrior" Kessler, 39-1 (29 ko’s):
A rematch with the last man to defeat him beckoned after the "The Viking Warrior" publicly stated that he was looking for a rematch with Mundine so that he would be given a chance to win back one of the World Titles that he had lost when he was defeated by Joe Calzaghe in their unification bout last November. Would beat Mundine convincingly in a unanimous points victory.

2. Lucian "Le Tombuer" Bute, 22-0 (18 ko’s):
The Canada-based Romanian who holds a victory over Sakio Bika, holds the IBF super-middleweight title which he won in October last year after knocking out then champion Alejandro Berrio in a highly impressive performance. He also knocked out former middleweight champion William Joppy in his first world title defence earlier this year, very powerful and dangerous opponent for Mundine. Late stoppage victory for Bute.

3. Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor, 27-2-1 (17 ko’s):
The former Undisputed Middleweight Champion whose stock has dropped dramatically. After dethroning then undisputed and unbeaten in 10 years Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins, Taylor fought to victories over Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks, while drawing with very creditable and also unbeaten in 10 years Winky Wright, was Top 10 Pound for Pound before running into Kelly Pavlik, who incredibly knocked him out unconscious and then beat him unanimously in the rematch at super-middleweight. Taylor is looking for a fight to get him back into the limelight after three years of fighting the best. Mundine called Taylor out on numerous occasions. Winnable for Mundine due to lack of confidence of Taylor. Mundine Unanimous Points.

4. Edison "Pantera" Miranda 30-2 (26 ko’s):
One of the biggest punchers in boxing. Along with Bute, Miranda would be a massive threat for Mundine if they were to fight. A once unbreakable chin and unstoppable right hand, Miranda was the most feared contender in boxing, knocking out all takers and breaking the jaw of undefeated IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham, the outspoken Miranda was robbed on all three judges scorecards in Germany which not very surprising. The only man that was willing to fight him was Kelly Pavlik, who beat Miranda in an elimination bout to fight then champion Jermain Taylor. Pavlik knocked out Miranda in that bout and then went on to knock out Taylor too. Miranda by Knockout.

5. Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy, 23-1 (17 ko’s):
The man who was once upon a time was the most feared super-middleweight on the planet. Knocking people out in Tyson-like fashion, Lacy was tipped to be boxing’s next superstar after winning his first world title by knocking out experienced contender Syd Vanderpool in 8 rounds back in 2005 and clearly winning all his defences. In March 2006, he stepped up to fight champion for 10 years and undefeated 40 fight veteran Joe Calzaghe in front of 50,000 in Wales, Lacy was beaten convincingly by Calzaghe and was even dropped in the unanimous points drumming. Lacy has only had two fights since Calzaghe due to injury, winning them both unimpressively. Lacy has never been the same fighter since being beaten by Calzaghe. Mundine Unanimous Points.

Whether Mundine finds the courage to step-up and find these fighters is yet to be seen, but win or lose Mundine needs to raise the level of opponents he is fighting if he wishes to earn anywhere near the amount of respect the current World Champions have. When he finally decides to straighten himself up and be "The Man", I sincerely wish him the best of luck.