Anthony Mundine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anthony Mundine
Mundine in 2012
Statistics
Nickname(s)	The Man Choc
Rated at	Light-middleweight Middleweight Super-middleweight Cruiserweight
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Reach	178 cm
Born	(1975-05-21) 21 May 1975 (age 50) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	59
Wins	48
Wins by KO	28
Losses	11

Anthony Steven Mundine (born 21 May 1975) is a famous Australian athlete. He used to be a professional boxer and a rugby league player. In boxing, he competed from 2000 to 2021. He won the World Boxing Association (WBA) super-middleweight title twice. He also held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) middleweight title. Anthony Mundine is well-known for his exciting matches against other Australian boxers like Danny Green and Daniel Geale.

Early Life and School Days

Anthony Steven Mundine was born on May 21, 1975. His father, Tony Mundine, was also a professional boxer. Anthony comes from the Bundjalung people, an Aboriginal group from northern New South Wales. Both of his parents are Aboriginal. He grew up as a Christian and later chose to become a Muslim in the late 1990s.

Anthony played junior rugby league for Hurstville United. He went to Kingsgrove High School and helped his school win the University Shield in 1993 and 1994. He also played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1993. That same year, he joined the St. George Dragons rugby league team when he was 18. He also attended Canterbury Boys' High School and Cleveland Street High School.

Anthony Mundine's Rugby League Career

In 1994, Anthony Mundine played for the Junior Kangaroos. This team won against Great Britain's under-19s. In 1996, he played in a grand final but his team lost to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. During that year, he faced some unfair comments from another player, who was later fined for his actions. After that season, Mundine decided to join the Brisbane Broncos in the Super League.

In 1997, he played 18 games for the Brisbane Broncos and scored three tries. He also played in his second grand final, which his team won against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. In 1998, he went back to play for St. George.

Mundine was chosen to play for New South Wales in all three matches of the 1999 State of Origin series. He scored a try in his first game. That year, he also helped the St. George Illawarra Dragons reach the Grand Final. He scored three tries against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in a big semi-final game. However, his team lost to the Melbourne Storm in the 1999 NRL Grand Final.

Anthony Mundine felt that he did not get enough chances to play for representative teams. He believed this was due to unfair treatment. He left rugby league in the middle of the 2000 season. He was inspired to try boxing after watching a video of Muhammad Ali. He also mentioned that he felt there was unfair treatment in rugby league, which was one reason he switched to boxing.

In 2005, there were talks about Mundine returning to the NRL, but it did not happen. In 2007, he became an Indigenous Liaison Officer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Anthony Mundine has many family members who also played rugby league, including Wes Patten, Amos Roberts, Beau Mundine, Blake Ferguson, and Reece Robinson. His son, CJ Mundine, is also on his way to playing in the NRL.

In September 2016, Mundine said he wanted to return to rugby league. He claimed that the St George chief executive had contacted him about playing. On December 8, 2017, Mundine again said he wanted to play for St George. He told Fox Sports, "It could be possible, you don't know. Anything is possible with me." On April 21, 2019, it was announced that Mundine would return to rugby league. He signed with the Matraville Tigers in the South Sydney District Rugby League.

Anthony Mundine's Boxing Career

Anthony Mundine's father, Tony Mundine, who was a boxer in the 1970s, trained him. Anthony had only a few amateur fights when he was 17. He had his first professional boxing match in July 2000, when he was 25. After only 10 professional fights, Mundine fought for his first world title against the IBF super-middleweight champion Sven Ottke in January 2001.

First World Title Fight: Mundine vs. Sven Ottke

In 2001, Anthony Mundine challenged Sven Ottke for the IBF Super Middleweight belt. Mundine was ahead on points, but Ottke knocked him out in the 10th round. This was Mundine's first loss in professional boxing.

Winning a World Title: Mundine vs. Antwun Echols

After Sven Ottke unified the WBA and IBF super middleweight titles, the WBA "regular" super middleweight title became available. Mundine won this title by beating Antwun Echols on points. The fight happened on September 3, 2003, in front of his home crowd in Sydney.

Losing and Regaining Titles

After defending his WBA title once, Mundine lost it to Manny Siaca in a close fight. He then tried to win the WBA super middleweight title again but lost to Mikkel Kessler on August 6, 2005.

Big Rivalry: Mundine vs. Danny Green

Anthony Mundine's biggest rivalry in Australia was with Perth-based boxer Danny Green. Their first fight on May 17, 2006, at Sydney Football Stadium, was one of the most anticipated boxing matches in Australian history. It was the biggest Pay Per View event in Australian TV history. Mundine won the fight by a clear decision after 12 rounds.

Mundine vs. Sam Soliman II

Mundine and Sam Soliman fought a second time for the WBA super middleweight championship. Mundine performed much better this time, knocking Soliman down multiple times. He won the fight by knockout in the ninth round.

Mundine vs. Daniel Geale

On May 27, 2009, Mundine fought the undefeated IBO middleweight champion Daniel Geale. Mundine won by a split decision. After the fight, Mundine admitted he hadn't studied Geale much before the match. This fight also marked the first professional boxing match for Mundine's friend, rugby player Sonny Bill Williams.

Unexpected Loss: Mundine vs. Garth Wood

On December 8, 2010, Mundine fought Garth Wood, the winner of The Contender Australia boxing show. Mundine was ahead on points, but Wood knocked him out in the fifth round. This was a big surprise in Australian boxing.

Getting Revenge: Mundine vs. Garth Wood II

On April 13, 2011, Mundine got his revenge by beating Garth Wood in a rematch. Mundine won every round and knocked Wood down twice, winning by a clear decision.

Winning Another Title: Mundine vs. Rigoberto Alvarez

On October 19, 2011, Mundine fought former WBA champion Rigoberto Alvarez for the interim WBA Light Middleweight world title. Mundine won by a unanimous decision, which made him the next challenger for the full title holder, Austin Trout.

Losing a Title: Mundine Stripped

In March 2012, Mundine decided not to fight Austin Trout. Because he didn't meet the requirements for the mandatory fight, the WBA took away his title in May 2012.

Fighting in the USA: Mundine vs. Bronco McKart

On July 14, 2012, Mundine fought American Bronco McKart. This was Mundine's first fight in the United States. He hoped to eventually challenge the undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.. Mundine won the fight in the seventh round by TKO.

Rematch: Mundine vs. Daniel Geale II

On January 30, 2013, Mundine fought Daniel Geale for the second time. Geale's IBF title was on the line. This was a huge boxing event in Australia. Mundine lost the fight by a unanimous decision. He disagreed with the judges' decision and left the ring right after the result was announced.

Mundine vs. Shane Mosley

Mundine was supposed to fight American boxing legend Shane Mosley on October 23, 2013. The fight was delayed because Mosley asked for more money. Mundine and his manager managed to raise the money, and the fight happened on November 27. Mosley stopped fighting after the sixth round due to back problems, giving Mundine the win.

Later Fights

On April 9, 2014, Mundine fought former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey and lost by a unanimous decision. On November 12, 2014, Mundine fought the undefeated European champion Sergey Rabchenko. Mundine was not expected to win, but he won the fight by a split decision. This win made him the mandatory challenger for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s WBC light middleweight title. However, Mundine had to pull out of a planned fight with Austin Trout in May 2015 due to an ear injury.

Other Interests and Appearances

Anthony Mundine has invested in real estate and owns a sports brand called Boxa. He also owned a cafe called Boxa Bar, which was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 2013.

Mundine has appeared in several music videos. In 1990, he was in Angry Anderson's song "Bound for Glory". In 2001, he appeared in Powderfinger's music video "Like a Dog". In 2005, he was featured on Joel Turner's song "Knock U Out". He then released his own song, "Platinum Ryder". He also appeared in the Brothablack music video, Are You With Me Out There, and a GetUp Mob version of "From Little Things Big Things Grow". In 2009, he was on the Street Warriors' album, Unstoppable Force.

Mundine has also been on TV shows like Celebrity Big Brother (2002), Dancing with the Stars (2005), and The Footy Show. He was a guest trainer on The Biggest Loser Australia: Couples 2 in 2010. His portrait, Bora Anthony Mundine, was a notable finalist in the 2002 Archibald Prize. He is also a character in the video games Fight Night Round 4 and Fight Night Champion. In 2016, he appeared on Anh Do's Anh's Brush with Fame. In January 2018, Mundine was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in Australia, but he chose to leave the show early.

Awards and Achievements

In 2000, Anthony Mundine was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person of the Year. He is the first boxer in history to have all his professional fights shown on television. He has also generated more pay-per-view sales than any other Australian boxer since he became professional.

Some people have called him "arguably the greatest crossover athlete in boxing history" because he was so good at both rugby league and boxing. In June 2014, the annual Anthony Mundine Award for Courage was created as part of the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards.

Deadly Awards

Anthony Mundine has won several Deadly Awards for being an outstanding Indigenous male sportsperson:

• 2007: Indigenous Male Sportsperson of the Year
• 2006: Indigenous Male Sportsperson of the Year
• 2003: Indigenous Male Sportsperson of the Year

Professional Boxing Record

Family Life

Anthony Mundine's son, Anthony Mundine III, is a basketball player. As of 2025, he is playing for the Sydney Comets in the NBL1 East.

Images for kids

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  Mundine in 2012