MUNDINE TAKES ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS TITLE SHOT!

By Darren Yates, from Down Under

 

 

 


Last Wednesday evening Anthony Mundine took a final tune up bout before his scheduled WBA Super Middleweight world title bout between Manny Siaca, the man who took Mundine's title, and Dane Mads Larsen. Mundine's opponent, current Australian Super Middleweight champion Juane Dowling was obviously chosen by Mundine's management because he really represented no threat. From what I saw, Mundine basically used Dowling as a human punching bag, like Mundine's previous opponent Sean Sullivan. I must admit, however, that I did not lower myself to waste $30 to watch this bout live, as it was such an obvious mismatch, and I refuse support these type of bouts in any form.

Mundine basically did whatever he wanted to his opponent, seemingly landing punches at will. Dowling neither had the speed or skills to keep Mundine off him or mount any effective form of offence. Mundine connected with a long range right hand cross that hit Dowling flush and knocked him to the canvas. Surprisingly Dowling beat the count and Mundine closed the show with a flurry of punches,  forcing the referee to call a halt to the night's proceeding in the third round.

Anthony Mundine looked very good, but against this level of opposition. It's hard  for me not to think of Bruce Lee's words of wisdom...   "Very good, but brick not hit back". I'm sure Team Mundine just wanted a human punching bag to get some rounds and say how awesome "The Man" is. I don't believe Anthony would have learnt anything useful from his last two bouts; he learnt to beat up overmatched and outgunned opponents early in his career. Some people may he was more impressive than  Danny Green in his most recent performance. The difference to me is that Danny Green received what he needed, (even if the taste wasn't nice) and Anthony Mundine did not.

Danny Green faced a live opponent with nothing to lose who was well capable of hitting back. Danny Green was embarrassed by being dropped for the first time in his career and will remember at the championship level he will need to do all the hard yards and not take any opponent for granted. Green will now go back to the gym more determined than ever to make up for his first average professional performance. Mundine did not get any experience like this, if anything these easy pickings will do him harm. The next time he fights, his opponent will be much more skilled with the firepower to dent his fragile chin.

On a more positive note for Mr. Mundine, I was impressed with the right hand he used to drop Dowling in the third round. It was beautifully thrown from long range and had perfect extension at the time of impact, sending Dowling bodily to the canvas; a nice piece of art indeed. I hope he can reproduce it against someone like Siaca or Larsen. Of note, I heard Mundine say he doesn't drink or smoke and that he is a good role model for children and he encouraged them to chase their dream. So much more pleasant and impressive than some of the other garbage that came out of his mouth earlier in his career. 

Will Anthony Mundine be prepared adequately to win back the WBA Super Middleweight title? I think I might just pay the $30 to find out. 

10-18-2004

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