We recently had in Auckland the biggest boxing promotion since the days of the big outdoor promotions at Carlaw Park, when Anthony "The Man" Mundine came here to fight our multi-champion Sean Sullivan. We saw patches of the brilliance that hopefully will lead him to a World Title, and this colourful character from Sydney certainly gave us something to remember.

Trained and managed by his father Tony, who also fought in New Zealand, Anthony certainly struck a tough one in Sean Sullivan, probably the toughest and fittest fighter New Zealand has ever produced. Tony himself was a triple Australian champion. He was around when some of the toughest middleweights of all time were on the world scene. There was Denny Moyer, (Tony K.O.'D him) Benny Briscoe (he K.O.'d Tony) Nino Benvenuti, Emile Griffith, (Tony beat him in France), Jose Napoles and Carlos Monzon. Tony didn't win a World title but just look at the class in his division.

Emile Griffith

When Tony fought Monzon, Carlos had 68 victories to his credit had won 45 by knockout, and hadn't lost in ten years.

Tony Mundine vs Carlos Monzon

Tony started his career in 1969 after playing Rugby League for a while. and then was persuaded to visit Ern McQuillan's gym in Sydney. The first evening he didn't spar but just fooled around belting away at the punchbags. When Em asked him if he wanted to take up boxing, Tony was quick to reply "Yes". Tony's first two fights were against Frank Graham, and his next two were against Ted McKenzie, After 10 wins in as many fights Tony faced up to the tough New Zealander Kahu Mahunga, and was K.O.'d in the 9th round

In 1970 Tony won his first Australian title when he K.O.'d Billy Choules in 4 rounds to win the Australian Middleweight crown.

By this time Em McQuillan was rating Tony Mundine as the greatest prospect since the great Dave Sands. When Tony tackled Bunny Sterling for the Commonwealth Middleweight crown in 1972, he was the Australian Middleweight and Heavyweight Champion of Australia.

The Australian "Fighter" Magazine saw the fight this way.

Tony Takes Crown

Australia's golden fighter Tony Mundine (11, 5 and a quarter) out-generalled out-boxed and out-fought Bunny Sterling (11. 5 and a half}to take the Jamaican born Briton's Commonwealth Middleweight title with a slashing K.O. in the last round of their scheduled 15 round title fight at Milton. Brisbane, on April 14.

It was far from an easy victory for the Australian middleweight and heavyweight champ over one of the world's cleverest middleweights.

Tony found the titleholder an elusive target in the early rounds and it was not until midway through the fight that Mundine caught up with his wily opponent.

But make no mistake, Mundine in this fight stamped himself as a future world champion. And after the fight experienced American Referee Jay Edson agreed.

Edson said that Denny Moyer, who recently fought Monzon for the title in Rome, would be a good test for Mundine.

As I mentioned earlier Tony K.O.'d Denny Moyer.

After a couple of victories over Carlos Marks, Tony flew back to Paris where he faced Emile Griffith, a former champion of the World at welter and middleweight, and managed to score a twelve round decision. The French loved Tony's style and he loved travelling to France. His next fight in Paris was against Lenny Harden, but he also had a bad loss in Paris against Bennie Brisco.

His dream of meeting Carlos Monzon for the world title now seemed further away than ever. But his strong determination payed off, an after some more wins in Brisbane and another one in Paris, a Monzon fight was offering.

On October the 5'th 1974 at Luna Park Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the match took place. Monzon was a hero in South America, and with his good looks and body to match, he was everybody’s favourite. 25,000 shrieking fans at the Luna Park was pretty hard to handle for a shy boy like Tony Mundine. Mundine was looking good in the sixth, but in the seventh he was stopped by the wily South American. Tony went on for quite a few years, winning many and losing a few as well, fighting mainly at Light heavy. His last fight was against Alex Sua, and ironically Alex was in Sean Sullivans corner when Sean recently fought Anthony Mundine.

Tony was born in the small town of Baryulgil near Grafton on June 10th 1951.

He had 96 fights in total, scored 80 wins, 65 by K.O, was stopped 10 times, and lost five decisions. Anthony is coming along nicely and has already had a World Title fight. He didn't win but he has plenty of time to try and win the World Title that escaped his Dad.

Tony Mundine with Dave Cameron

I believe he has plenty of talent and although the Aussies think he is just a mouth, I think he could go a long way in the sport. I for one am glad that he gave up the rugby league and turned to boxing.

This is only a small insight into the talented fighting Mundine family, one of the great Australian boxing families.

Anthony Mundine