Our Experts Decide: Anthony Mundine vs. Danny Green 2
TEN years on, the biggest fight in Australian boxing history will have its prolonged sequel and presumed final chapter.
Anthony Mundine and Danny Green, both highly decorated three-division titleholders, will square off for one last time at the Adelaide Oval with bragging rights and the Australian cruiserweight title on the line.
Given their contrasting styles and recent form lines, this fight has divided opinion. We spoke to our group of industry insiders to get their thoughts on who would win and why.
Ben Damon, MAIN EVENT – Record: 15-10
Mundine W10 Green: Finally. 3915 days after the first one, Anthony Mundine and Danny Green will fight again. The wait will play a part while the weight is a huge factor, but again I see it going one of two ways; Green catches him in his powerful early barrage, or Mundine survives and boxes home. Father time will decide this time – but being a betting man I’ll take the value option – Mundine by decision.
Adam Wilcock, Promoter/Manager – Record: 16-10
Green KO Mundine: Both are five plus years past their best, a fight born out of the dollars involved rather than a real need to see two boxers clash. Choc has been on the canvas a collective nine times in his last two losses and Green wasn’t overly impressive against Watts. If Green hits him flush then it’s over, if he doesn’t then Mundine out boxes him, again. Flick a coin.
Dan Attias, Columnist – Record: 2-0
Green SD10 Mundine: The old saying that ‘a good big man will always beat a good little man’ seems to be pretty appropriate for this fight. I think the weight jump might be too much for Choc to chalk up another win this time. Green by split decision.
Chris McCullen, Trainer – Record: 3-3
Mundine W10 Green: They’re obviously not in their primes, but I know it’ll be a very competitive fight and one not to miss. I’ve seen Choc in training and he’s very switched on for this fight, it’s simple, speed versus power. Green will need to land power shots and go for the knockout.
Choc will need to avoid Danny’s power with good footwork and most importantly good defense. Obviously being involved with Choc, I’m going with him to win a decision.
Neil Devey, Journalist – Record: 5-2
Green KO6 Mundine: Anyone who coughs up a ball-gripping $60 on Main Event should not complain – everyone knows it’s a fight which should have taken place at least seven years ago – between two blokes in their forties and way past their prime, one of whom is moving up a ludicrous four weight divisions. Punters are going in with their eyes open.
Green complained about being weight-drained when they first fought; he has the cards in his favour this time. Mundine’s punch resistance has been exposed at 154lb, what will he be like when he’s caught by a cruiserweight? That the two stalwarts of Australian boxing can still draw a 20,000-plus crowd is a compliment to the pair and a reflection of the sport in the country.
Hopefully both men come through with their health intact and their bank balances swollen. Green stoppage win by round six, then let’s look ahead to Horn vs. Pacquiao.
Phil D. Jay, Editor for World Boxing News – Record: 6-2
Mundine W10 Green: It’s an interesting fight due to the big issue of weight. I’d fancy Mundine to score a points victory, if he can keep the range and not be affected too much by carrying the extra poundage.
Cody Kaye, Journalist for Fox Sports – Record: 6-1
Green TKO Mundine: If this fight plays out the way it should, Green wins by what I’d expect to be a devastating knockout. But Mundine has made a career out of rising to great occasions, and in the process, proving everybody wrong. The only way he can do that in the rematch, is simply not to get caught.
If he can box and move, he might just have one last great fight in him. But he has to be just about perfect for ten rounds. The smart money is on Green for a reason, he should win this inside the distance.
Matt Clark, Manager – Record: 14-2
Green TKO8 Mundine: Both guys are past their best and aren’t as active as they once were so it’s hard to make an accurate prediction. It’s really a rematch that should have happened eight or so years ago. Not boiling down to 154 lbs will be of benefit to Mundine. It will be interesting to see how much effect making the 182 lbs limit has on Green. He hasn’t been at or below that weight since the Roy Jones fight in 2009.
Meanwhile, Choc has said he might give away as much as ten kilograms on the night and it will be interesting to see how they both fare on the scales. If Green has done it easily enough, I think he will be too strong for Anthony and stop him around the eighth round. The weigh in will tell us a lot about what to expect.
Brendan Bourke, Manager/Advisor – Record: 17-4
Mundine UD10 Green: Everything certainly looks to be in Danny Green’s favour going into the rematch, with weight and power being the biggest factors. That being said, the big question I have is did Mundine’s hip operation work? If it did and Mundine has his movement back he’ll have speed on his side and that will once again be the telling difference between the two.
Sam Labruna, Trainer – Record: 13-5
Green KO Mundine: I’m putting the pressure on Green in this rematch. No disrespect to Mundine, because he is in my opinion the better boxer technically, but at this weight Green needs to stop Mundine and anything less is not going to look good for him at this weight. The result will not tarnish the result of the first fight for me. Green by knockout.
Adam Santarossa, Journalist for News.com.au – Record: 8-1
Mundine W10 Green: This fight represents the great unknown. You don’t really know what type of shape either guy is in or how they’ve prepared. Stories vary and talk coming out of camps isn’t always the most genuine. The weight difference has been grossly over exaggerated. Sure, Green can rehydrate and will be bigger but this is something Mundine has experienced before when fighting guys like Mikkel Kessler at super middleweight.
It’s not ideal, but not something he can’t overcome. Mundine will want to be lighter anyway as it suits his fighting style. He’ll want to fight on the outside, use his jab and stay at range – just like their first encounter. Mundine can get lazy on the ropes and can stand right in front of guys and not use his angles – that’s how he was knocked down numerous times against Joshua Clottey and stopped against Charles Hatley.
I think Mundine is the better boxer. He has great hand speed, head movement and footwork when he is on. He uses range well and Green plays into his hands somewhat. The Green Machine is a come forward fighter and Mundine can score well with his jab. I don’t think the gameplan will change much from their first fight. I think Mundine will shock many.
He’s too proud to come in underdone and I think he’s secretly ready to leave it all on the table in what may be and likely is his final bow. Mundine looks a lot healthier at the bigger weight, it just remains to be seen whether the added kilos impact his style. But I think he can get it done.
Billy Dib, former IBF featherweight champion – Record: 5-6
Mundine UD10 Green: This is definitely an intriguing match up stylistically. The ultimate winners in this match up are without a doubt both Anthony Mundine and Danny Green as they will both be rewarded with much financial gain from this rematch. For me, both guys can win this fight, Danny will be much stronger than Anthony and will look to impose his strength and size to force a stoppage.
In order for Anthony to win this fight, he will need to have a near impeccable defence and good lateral movement around the ring. For me, I’m going to go with what my heart wants and that’s to see a good fight, with Mundine winning an unanimous decision. I wish both men much success and I pray both men come out safe and in good health.
Gareth Williams, Trainer – Record: 13-7
Mundine UD10 Green: The grudge match is on and the dislike is real. Green is big this time and will be coming down to 83 kilos. You would think while Mundine will probably be eating up all the way to the weigh-in. As I hear, Mundine is in great gym form and has a lot of his movement back after a successful hip operation.
It’s a tough one to call at this stage due to size and punch resistance, but I’ll stick with Mundine being the winner on points due to having his old movement and speed back.
Brett Bonetti, Journalist for 6PR/96FM – Record: 7-2
Green TKO7 Mundine: Green will win this long awaited rematch. The so called weight issue is nothing but a myth. Credit to Mundine for being able to go down in weight during his career, which is rare, as fighters tend to move up, but Mundine will be more comfortable at a higher weight division. Mundine is offering up the weight debate as an excuse if he loses, or to attempt to make his performance look better if he’s able to get the second victory over Green.
Mundine will try use his speed and boxing skills to frustrate Green, but Green will have the answers setting up with the solid jab of his own. On Friday night, Green’s power will eventually wear down Mundine and will win in seven rounds to end a great career.
Lincoln Hudson, Trainer – Record: 17-6
Mundine W10 Green: Once again, we get to see two of Australia’s greats do it again. I too like most people think they are past their best, but it’s still a good fight for all the wrong reasons. Danny wants redemption – Danny wants to win – and Danny needs to win so bad. On the other hand, Choc doesn’t need the win – Choc doesn’t need redemption – but Choc wants to win. In saying that, it’s truly a shame that people are caught up in the Green hype.
Mundine has campaigned of late at 69 kilograms, whereas Green has campaigned in the mid-to-late region of 80 kilograms, or with a limit of 91 kilograms. Sometimes size doesn’t matter and I believe this will be the case – Danny still has power and Choc still has skill – and I think skill will shine and give Mundine victory against all odds and a ten kilogram weight difference.
George Reno, Trainer – Record: 16-4
Mundine W10 Green: As most are aware, I corner Choc. All I can say is that the first few rounds are going to be crucial. I think Mundine wins on points.
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