OFFICIAL BOXING DISCUSSION

[alien]

<big>'SBW the next Ali,' says Mundine Snr</big>
Josh Alston, AAP
January 30, 2011, 3:37 pm

Australian boxing great Tony Mundine has made the extraordinary claim that Sonny Bill Williams can be the next Muhammad Ali.

His startling appraisal came after rugby star Williams' unanimous points decision victory over Sydney brawler Scott Lewis at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Saturday night.

Williams was impressive at times as he triumphed over six hectic rounds in his first real test in his three pro fights.

A dual New Zealand international in both rugby league and union, Williams is also eager to make his mark in the boxing world.

Mundine, father of Williams' trainer Anthony Mundine, said he should think long and hard about making boxing his primary occupation following this year's Rugby World Cup.

"I said to (Williams) in 12 months time he could be the second Ali. He could be anything," Mundine said.

"I saw him about 12 months ago, I really thought he moved like Ali.

"He needs more fights … If he keeps on boxing seriously, he will be the second Ali."

Mundine Snr could hardly have made a bigger call about Williams' potential, comparing him to the charismatic fighter many consider the greatest.

Ali amassed 57 wins in his 62-fight career, 39 of those by knockout.

Set to resume training with his Super Rugby side the Crusaders in Christchurch on Monday, Williams' focus was squarely on retaining his spot in the All Blacks' squad for the World Cup starting in September.

But following that, Mundine said he should do some serious soul-searching about his career direction.

When asked if he had ever seen anyone with Williams' raw ability, Mundine replied: "Never. Without a question.

"He's got a big question mark - rugby league, rugby union or boxing.

"In rugby league and union there's a lot of injuries, he can damage himself (in the) knees, neck, elbows and ankles.

"If he took on boxing after the World Cup (he could be anything)."

It was humbling praise for Williams from a man he respects greatly.

"When you've got guys like Tony Mundine in your corner, helping you out, you learn a lot," he said.

Williams has room in his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union for another fight this year although he is unlikely to take that up until after the World Cup.

In the meantime he was happy to reflect on a win against a quality opponent after previously copping criticism for fighting unknowns Ryan Hogan and Gary Gurr.

"A lot of people didn't want to give this fight credibility but I wanted to respect the sport," Williams said.

"I think I really showed (against Lewis) that I respect the sport and it was a good fight, hopefully, gave the crowd what they wanted."

Williams will commence strength and conditioning training with the Crusaders this week as he works to add two kilograms to his frame and will return to running next week after an off-season leg injury.

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/8740148/sbw-the-next-ali-says-mundine-snr/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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the next ali, lol.

 

[stryker]

Tony needs to get back on his meds me thinks…..

 

[alien]

<big>Mundine admits career on the line</big>
By Josh Alston, AAP
February 16, 2011, 2:56 pm

Anthony Mundine says he became "pigheaded" winning fight after fight in Australia and admits another loss in his rematch with Garth Wood could spell the end of his boxing career.

There was none of the trademark arrogance, posturing or assurances of victory as Mundine fronted a press conference on Wednesday to confirm he'll fight Woods on April 13 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Inexperienced Sydneysider Wood caused a major upset with his fifth-round knockout of Mundine in December last year.

A more vulnerable Mundine agreed a second loss to Wood, winner of reality tv series The Contender Australia, might end a career that has yielded three world titles and millions in prizemoney.

"It could be (the end), man," he said, picking at the label on his water bottle.

"Right now I'm only looking at short-term goals. I was looking above and beyond too much in the past.

"I've got to be victorious. I've got one purpose, one goal and that is to win."

Mundine has said he wasn't mentally prepared for his first fight with Wood and when asked if he was ready this time, he replied: "I think I have to be now.

"If the last fight didn't wake me up then nothing will."

The first fight against relative novice Wood was supposed to be a final bout in Australia before Mundine finally fulfilled his long-held promise of heading to the United States.

But the defeat ended all talk of world title fights in America and instead exposed flaws in his approach and game-plan.

"Garth was a lot mentally stronger than what I was. I paid the price," Mundine said.

"I've probably been a bit pigheaded, especially over the last couple of years.

"Even though I saw negatives in some of my performances, still I was winning and getting away with it.

"I didn't really care … I didn't study films, I didn't study myself, I didn't study tapes, I didn't do none of that.

"Garth made me pay the ultimate price, losing on a big stage."

Mundine said he decided to stage the fight in Brisbane, rather than home city Sydney, to get away from all the distractions in his life and concentrate solely on boxing.

"Some of my best wins have been in Brisbane," he said.

"I've always loved fighting here and it's given me a chance to get out of Sydney to focus myself on what I need to do.

"I'm going to prepare a lot better without any distractions."

While Mundine appeared almost contrite, a calm and ultra-confident Wood can't wait for the re-match as he tries to establish his fledgling career.

"I'm only early in my career and I'm all about reinventing myself each fight," he said.

"Although he might be able to study tapes of me ... every session I'm improving out-of-sight - especially mentally.

"So if that was already a problem for him in the first fight, it's going to be double.

"I would love to beat him twice ... I'm just climbing up the ladder and he stands in front of me at the moment."

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/8850857/mundine-admits-career-on-the-line/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(includes video)

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I've probably been a bit pigheaded, especially over the last couple of years.

Uh, pigheaded is an understatement.

Some of my best wins have been in Brisbane

Uh, thats because you get away with murder up there and throw the fights every which way you can.

I hope Garth tears you a new one. He may be a scrapper but he'll be a national hero if he is the man to end your career.

 

[Yossarian]

Anything other than an early KO win and Mundine will officially be finished. We're talking Garth Wood here - he's got a massive ticker and plenty of courage but as CB said he's just a scrapper (and I mean no disrespect there). Mundine wants to write it off ala Lewis losing to Rahman (wasn't prepared enough, took it too easy) but really we just saw someone exposing Mundine's problems. He's got good, fast hands but if he lets people get too close to him he's got a glass jaw.

He needs to dispose of Wood and just go for a superfight against a big name. No more cab drivers or bums. If not, he's got to retire and find something else to do.

 

[Easy_Tiger]

mundine, better be carefull again i think garth is a big chance once again but id rather watch a real aussie fighter like katsidis or geale…..love boxing second best sport in the world.

 

[king_sirro]

mundine, better be carefull again i think garth is a big chance once again but id rather watch a real aussie fighter like katsidis or geale…..love boxing second best sport in the world.

Lenny Zap eats them all alive for talent. Geale is good, Katsidis is good….........Lenny is freakin unbelievable

 

[balmainbenny]

Geale gave mundane( yes it is spelt right) a boxing lesson and still didn;t get the win , what a rort ,hope the little aussie brawler puts his lights out for good thus ending his career, He is the embarrassment of australian boxing; I am much more proud of Kostya Tszyu and he is russian, and a true gentleman.

 

[king_sirro]

Geale gave mundane( yes it is spelt right) a boxing lesson and still didn;t get the win , what a rort ,hope the little aussie brawler puts his lights out for good thus ending his career, He is the embarrassment of australian boxing; I am much more proud of Kostya Tszyu and he is russian, and a true gentleman.

To say Geale gave Mundine a boxing lesson is downright bias. It was a top fight that could have gone either way and considering Geale was the champion, he probably should have got the nod. But a "boxing lesson" it wasnt. Mundine gave Green a boxing lesson.

 

[balmainbenny]

Ks, I know you probably think you know what your talking about, Mate you might have watched a lot of fights in your time, I dont know, but honestly have you ever stepped into the square circle? Cos if not your just an armchair critic .Yes mundine did beat Green but what a lot of people dont know is Green was not up to that fight mentally, being he had just lost his little neice weeks before the fight.

 

[crouching_tiger]

Bomber Peden is in training to make a comeback to the big stage. He's getting on a little now, but still fit as ever and i love his spirit and determination. Would love to see him get offered a fight against the Mexicutioner Pacman!! He knocked back a fight many years ago against Manny.

 

[king_sirro]

Ks, I know you probably think you know what your talking about, Mate you might have watched a lot of fights in your time, I dont know, but honestly have you ever stepped into the square circle? Cos if not your just an armchair critic .Yes mundine did beat Green but what a lot of people dont know is Green was not up to that fight mentally, being he had just lost his little neice weeks before the fight.

Oh here we go, the old "u cant comment unless uv done it" theory. I guess u cant comment on the NRL then cos by your standards u have to have played at that level to be able to judge something with your own 2 eyes. And to answer your question, yes i have stepped into the ring. Got 4 broken noses to prove it. And the main thing i learnt was that if u cant fight, then dont box lol

 

[balmainbenny]

Ks I didn;t say anything about levels, merely asking if you had any expertice on the matter, you said my comment was bias, so just to clear that up, I have been involved in the boxing game a very long time and without sounding like a know it all I do have considerable knowledge in such matters, So it wasn;t a bias comment at all just one of knowledge. ps no broken noses lol

 

[Easy_Tiger]

King Sirro ive seen zappavigna fight a few times hes an up and comer but not sure if hes way more talented than geale and katsidis? katsidis is a true warrior fight overseas and against world quality opponents cant wait too see daniel geale get his chance hes a wests tigers supporter also…. :smiley:

 

[alien]

i hope mundine gets knocked out again

 

[king_sirro]

Ks I didn;t say anything about levels, merely asking if you had any expertice on the matter, you said my comment was bias, so just to clear that up, I have been involved in the boxing game a very long time and without sounding like a know it all I do have considerable knowledge in such matters, So it wasn;t a bias comment at all just one of knowledge. ps no broken noses lol

Ok, so if your opinion that Geale gave Mundine a "boxing lesson" isnt bias, then i have to be honest and say i dont think your judgement on this fight is acurate at all.

 

[king_sirro]

King Sirro ive seen zappavigna fight a few times hes an up and comer but not sure if hes way more talented than geale and katsidis? katsidis is a true warrior fight overseas and against world quality opponents cant wait too see daniel geale get his chance hes a wests tigers supporter also…. :smiley:

Give it time Easy Tiger. Lenny is just 23 and about to fight for a genuine world title and when he wins it, he would have already done more than Geale and Katsidis. Although Geale has his own world title fight coming up too, so hopefully both guys can bring it home.

 

[Easy_Tiger]

katsidis has fought some great fighters
Graham earl in england
kevin mitchell in england
juan diaz in the states
joel casaymayor in the states
chavez in the states
future boxing hall of famer who fought paquiau twice in the states
juan manuel marquez

he should be fighting world title holder amir khan after the querro fight
even if lenny wins his title fight i dont think hes done more than katsidis like i said katsidis is a true warrior doesnt fight hand picked fighters he wants the best…..........we shall see how lenny zappa goes hope he wins ive seen his fights before not sold on him just yet.......

 

[redemption]

I am one of the few people who gave Garth a chance in his original bout with Mundine - as I stated he is an awkward pug/brawler of a boxer who was going to throw some of those now famous overhand rights if he could close the distance!

(I do like inside fighters who can take some punishment while dishing it - "Smokin'" Joe Frasier & "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler being amongst my all-time favourites)!

Sorry KS - but I am also with BB regarding Geale - he should have won that fight!

Mundine wins by making his opponents miss - that is not the basic principle of boxing - you still need to hurt your opponent which Choc rarely does!!

 

[Easy_Tiger]

I agree i thought geale won that fight and what about mundines gloves tape coming undone a few times in the late rounds that was done on purpose in my opinion because geale was coming on at the end there is no way mundine won that fight & i wish wood didnt give mundine a rematch hope he smashes mundine again but not sure? ill be watching it live for sure its being held in brisbane…..