By Gavin Stone
Anthony Mundine spoke in Thursdays Daily Telegraph about a possible rematch with arch-rival Danny Green, which he said would take place in Perth sometime during 2008 at the light heavyweight limit of 175 pounds.
I remember the build up to the 2006 Anthony Mundine vs. Danny Green bout. At the time I was operating an Anthony Mundine website, and experiencing the hype with a flood of emails coming through was a great experience for a sporting and boxing fan. There were years of trash talking between the two and their fans, and once the fight was signed it was exaggerated even more, even to the stage of having a double header to hype the much anticipated clash.
The 2006 bout was staged with amazing hype and atmosphere, in what was for boxing a huge arena at the Sydney Football Stadium. Around 30,000 fans attended and Pay-Per-View sales went through the roof as the bout was aired across the nation and throughout the world. Green entered the ring as a slight favourite with the bookies and a huge favourite with the public- as they love to hate Mundine. In the end Mundine gave Danny Green a boxing lesson in a 12 round unanimous decision victory, and at the same time humbled a nation.
Despite the one sidedness of the first bout there is still a lot of value in a return bout. Here are some points to consider:
1) Danny Green struggled to make the 168 pound super middleweight limit despite fighting there his whole professional career. Since the Mundine fight Green has fought at light heavyweight, and seems much stronger and subsequently a far more effective fighter. Mundine is only average size for a super middleweight; would he find Green just too strong at 175lbs?
2) Mundine has had serious problems with his lead left eye after complications with eye surgery and contact lenses. It was thought at one stage that Mundine may not be able to fight again. Mundine is now back in training and said his recovery is now coming along well. How much will the eye issue effect Mundine in future fights?
3) Fight would be in Perth where Green will have huge support.
4) Due to the eye injury and an earlier foot injury Mundine has been extremely inactive. He will have only fought four bouts in 2006 and 2007 combine. Will this inactivity affect his chances against Green in a rematch?
5) Even though Green is 34 and Mundine 32 will Mundine age overnight? Mundine has been in top level competitive sport since 1993! Mundine relies heavily on speed and reaction time, and as his neural system slows down with age will this affect him, especially against Greens hard punches.
Danny Green will be fight Roy Jones Jr. conqueror Antonio Tarver on December 1 for the IBO light heavyweight title. If Green wins this it would provide Mundine with further inspiration for a Green rematch as it would give him the opportunity to become a three-time boxing world champion to add to his 3 rugby league grand finals and one premiership.
When I spoke to Danny Green earlier in the year at a exhibition boxing card that I was fighting in, he said that no matter what happens between him and Mundine the main thing is that the fans enjoy the fights and the drama that goes along with it, and in my opinion that is exactly how it is.
Mundine vs. Green II, bring it on!
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