This time, Anthony Mundine needs to stay retired!
Former two-time WBA ‘Regular’ Super Middleweight champion Anthony “The Man” Mundine (48-11, 28ko) announced hi retirement after being brutally knocked out in the first round by fellow countryman Michael “Pretty Boy” Zerafa (28-4, 17ko). Immediately, from the sound of the bell, the fight was completely one-sided. Zerafa jumped all over the 45-year-old former champion, landing a beautiful left hook that was the cause of the first knockdown. Mundine would get up only to be knocked down by a perfectly placed straight right-hand flush on the temple. The former world champion confirmed that was the last time he will step into the ring shortly after the fight.
FATHER TIME CLAIMS ANOTHER FIGHTER
“Definitely, that was it for me, win, lose, or draw. Even if I won, I still would have hung them up. I just haven’t got the heart anymore to do it.”
The former champion had retired once previously after losing by another first-round demoralizing knockout to former WBO Welterweight champion Jeff “The Hornet” Horn in November 2017. However, he seems to be serious this time. The knockout was pretty devastating and made clear that his better days are behind him.
Boxing is the one sport that will push you out regardless if you are ready or not. The competitive nature of fighters is so high that it becomes hard for them to walk away willingly. Furthermore, he has gone 1-4 in his last five fights; even more proof that it is time to say goodbye.
CAREER TO REMEMBER
Mundine was a high-profile Rugby player before becoming a professional boxer. Also, he is the son of former fighter Tony Mundine. So it comes as no surprise that boxing would come into the picture sooner or later. In 2000, Mundine started his career out the gate on a high note by knocking out eight of his first ten opponents. After winning the IBF Pan Pacific Super Middleweight title, he would get the opportunity of a lifetime challenging then IBF champion Sven Ottke in only his eleventh professional fight.
Mundine would lose the fight by tenth-round knockout, but the fire to continue fighting burned even more. He would go on a ten-fight win streak and captured the WBA ‘Regular’ Super Middleweight championship against Antwun Echols in September 2003. The Australian fighter would lose the title in 2004 against Manny Siaca. He worked his way back up the ranks to take on then WBA champion Mikkel Kessler. Despite losing the fight, his career would continue to flourish through him winning the vacant WBA ‘Regular’ championship for a second time against an old foe in Sam Soliman back in 2007.
He would accrue four straight successful title defenses, including a third fight victory against fellow Aussie Sam Soliman. Later, he would go down to middleweight to win the fringe IBO Middleweight championship from Daniel Geale. However, in 2013, the two Australian fighters would meet again for Geale’s IBF Middleweight championship.
Mundine came up short in his attempt at winning the title, and he would not be able to capture the magic again. He started taking losses to lesser fighters like Charles Hatley, Danny Green, and kickboxer turned boxer John Wayne Parr. The former champion is considered the most recognizable athlete in Australian history. Moreover, the former champion has learned that nobody can outrun father time. Hopefully, this time, the gloves stay on the hanger in the closet.
By: Garrisson Bland
