In an intriguing match up on December 8th at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia former two weight world champion Anthony ?The Man? Mundine (40- 3, 24KO?s) takes on Australian Contender winner Garth Wood (9-1-1, 5KO?s) at middleweight. The fight with Mundine is the contracted prize for Wood?s efforts in winning the Contender Series in Australia when he outpointed Kariz Kariuki in an absorbing final back in January. On paper it seems a straight- forward assignment for Mundine who has not lost since his 2005 when he was outpointed by Mikkel Kessler but many people believe the 32 year old Wood has a puncher?s chance in a Rocky Balboa type cameo appearance.
Mundine is currently ranked WBA#2 at 154 pounds and seeks a mandatory shot in 2011 and hopefully a collision course with WBA champion Miguel Cotto. He spoke to Fighnews.com today from his Sydney training camp and gave an update on his preparation for the fight with Wood and his plans for a defining 2011 which will involve him moving to the US to be based, possibly under the guidance of Angel Dundee.
The 35 year old Mundine is attempting to win a major championship at 154 pounds to add to his previous reigns as WBA 168 pound title holder (twice) and IBO 160 pound world champion. This feat of moving down in weight as Mundine gets older is a major challenge and one which motivates him to further success in 2011.
Anthony, on paper this seems a straight forward fight ? is there a danger you could underestimate Garth Wood? It is probably easier for him to get motivated for this fight and he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. I have not lost since 2005 and have just achieved a WBA#2 ranking at 154 pounds which I want to protect. I am on a winning run of seventeen fights and want a defining fight in 2011 against the likes of Mayweather, Cotto or even Manny Pacquiao. I cannot afford to lose my concentration so I will be ready and focussed for this fight ? I will not underestimate Garth Wood and he commands my respect in the build up and preparation to the fight. But, I will add that I have too much skill and power for him and will win the fight next week in Sydney.
You talk about re-locating to the US to further your career ? is that a wish or a definite plan? My aim for 2011 in two-fold. Firstly, I want to win a title at 154 pounds and achieve a feat of being a three weight world champion, then re-locate to the US to ink a defining fight that will show the Americans what I have to offer. I need to re-locate under the right trainer and feel this is the right stage of my career to do so. We have looked at a number of possible options, including guidance from the great Angelo Dundee. I know that under the right circumstances in the US the fans and critics will love my boxing style. I am a boxer who loves to entertain and seek this great opportunity in 2011. It is a definite plan to go to the US to further my career next year.
You have secured a WBA#2 ranking at 154 pounds for Miguel Cotto?s title ? is that your target in 2011? I would love to fight Miguel Cotto anytime in 2011 and in any city across the world. He is a great champion and just the type of respected fighter that would secure me greater credibility on the world stage. It would be a great fight for the fans and hopefully It can be made in 2011. If it can?t, I am prepared to fight anyone ? even Mayweather or Pacquiao such is my determination to develop my career to the next level. I am prepared to put everything on the line to show the world my silky boxing skills. If I keep winning in 2011 then at some point the WBA must mandate me to fight Cotto. That is why I cannot afford to lose against Garth Wood.
What is your best weight ? 154 pounds? It seems strange but because I joined boxing from Rugby League with no amateur career I think it is only now I have found my true best fighting weight at 154 pounds. When I was a rugby player I was bulked up due to the demands of the sport and carried forward that weight into my early career. It was when I lost to Mikkel Kessler in 2005 that I realised that super- middleweight was too big for me. As I have moved down to 160 pounds and now 154 pounds I feel much stronger and more suited to my style which commands speed and boxing ability. I feel I am a quicker and faster fighter now that when I was 168 pounds. This is now part of my competitive advantage which is strange for most fighters who tend to go up in weight as they get older. I am 35 years old and getting lighter and faster. 154 pounds is my ideal weight.
Is a re-match with Danny Green dead? As far as I am concerned it is done and dusted. I whipped his ass in front of 30,000 fans in 2006 and now I am at 154 pounds and he is IBO Cruiserweight champion at 200 pounds. We have gone our separate ways weight wise and I have nothing else to prove to Danny Green. I won ? fair and square.
What did you think about his recent win against BJ Flores in Perth? To be honest it was a boring fight. I thought the fight became repetitive round after round as Green seemed intent to try and counter punch whilst Flores seemed to lack the conviction to let his hands go. He had the skill, speed and ability but just didn?t force the issue consistently through the fight. Flores impressed me though and he is a good boxer for a bigger guy. After the Perth fiasco with Paul Briggs the boxing fans in Perth needed a competitive fight and they got that, although it didn?t get me excited.
If a Green rematch is dead ? what about a re-match with Daniel Geale? I thought I won the first fight fairly convincingly even though the judges scorecards were close. He is a good hungry boxer and I think in 2011 he will win the IBF 160 pound title. If that occurs and I fulfil my ambition to win a title at a third weight then I could take on Geale in a re-match. It was an excellent fight for the fans in 2009 and a re-match could be a lucrative Australian fight, but I hope he continues his progress and brings a meaningful title to the table.
How did you rate the performance of Michael Katsidis versus Juan Manuel Marquez at the weekend? Respect to Michael Katsidis ? a true boxing warrior. Heart, passion, determination and a never say die attitude. He commands my respect but Marquez just had too much for him. At the highest level, it doesn?t matter how much courage and heart you have but its skill that wins you the fight. Marquez had too much skill but Katsidis commands so much respect from everyone in Australia.
The fight with Garth Wood is available on PPV in Australia on Main Events on December 8th at the Acer Arena in Sydney. It promises to be a David V Goliath type match but the underdog Wood has a respected position and it should develop into an excellent fight. The Australian Contender winner should make this an interesting contest.
