Hodgo, he does it to create just that reaction. And he makes money out of it.
Printable View
I know someone who trained with him back when he was in league, if you know what the beep test is, you will know how impressive this is. He clocked it, twice in a row and then did pretty much a whole session.
Fast forward quite a few years and I had met different people who grew up in the area and knew him. Different in real life and always put his community first, regardless of religion and all the rest of it.
Alot if what he does is based around his idea that his controversies can spark a debate about recognition and issues he is passionate about, and by and large they are social and are based around the aboriginal community.
He crosses the line a lot, and is polarising much like Colin Kaepernick is in the states with his taking a knee over the black lives matters movement. Whether you agree with it or not it brings things up in public debate.
I have mentioned several times and anyone who is a regular would know I am part aboriginal either by seeing me say that or inference on how I state my views and still he polarises me. His intentions are good, and he sticks up for what he believes in and I support some of it but at times how he does it irks me and I feel it sets the issues back, but it does cause debate.
From talking, he doesn't mind being the bad guy if it provokes a conversation that takes us all forward, call it a martyr or whatever you like but he sees it that way.
As a boxer (me as a boxer) I see his style similar to Mayweather's, the more their careers went on the more they were focused on winning without the care factor for how defensive they were. Both are great technically (Mayweather is probably the greatest technical boxer ever), Mundine not as great though. He has been happy to protect his record and box for points and within himself. The few times he went for it he was flattened within rounds.
It will be a closer fight than people think. Mundine is coming down and Horn going up. Mundine will have a big reach advantage which plays into his defensive points based style, Horn needs to get on the inside and do damage.
It will either be Horn by a late TKO or Mundine on points.
Thanks for your input , it is the sort of thing I was hoping to hear, some non media driven anecdotes. I suspected he is a very proud Aboriginal, and even though , as you say, he can be devisive, it seems as 'parts of his heart' are in the right place regarding community and family. In those things, he has my respect.
Jc
You are correct Mundine [ Anthony] does cause debate. He does very good work with disadvantaged aboriginal children. And should be admired for that. He has moral courage, in an age when people of colour would not lift their head above the ramparts, he stood up. I admire him for that. However he has never gained the respect of mainstream Australia, who regard him as a bit of a joke. And that is shame. He could be better than that. Is better than that. But only in the circles that know the real Anthony Mundine. And the way he carries on, it does no good for the people he claims to represent. Any one who steps into the ring, has courage. And self belief. Mundine has let himself and his people down by his showmanship. How much of that is influenced by his father, I don't know. It breaks my heart to see Mundine carry on like a goose. My full blood aboriginal great grand mother would give him the kitchen wooden spoon , and tell him to " grow up boy!" As far as the fight goes, you know the result is up to your preparation. Mundine has been prepared by his father. His father has a vested interest in him being victorious. If Horn has not prepared , I pick Mundine. If he has, a TKO by Horn late in the fight.
You continually perpetuate the us and them for the most part. Not trying to take it personal, but from all my dealings with you I generally don't see you trying to see it from someone else's point of view, let alone the group of people that is up for debate.
The us and them is there because it's actually real, but as a white heterosexual male you have probably never been a minority in your life, have never been disadvantaged by something that is out of your control. Until you know what this feels like - being a minority (especially when your people are the traditional owners) then I would probably say get off your high horse with this whole 'us and them mentality needs to stop'.
I agree his thoughts on homosexuality are horrendous though. What about you?
I know what you mean, he could have done so much more by being a little bit more humble, a bit less over the top.
I think he modelled himself after Ali in the sense that his bravado, brashness and all the rest that went with it allowed him a platform to bring black rights to the fore. It's perhaps just the different age and with some progression of black rights that a different tact was needed.
And maybe world class boxing skills that revolutionised sport could have helped!
Sentiment was there, but his delivery or outward persona wasn't what was need for Australia to unite around him. In that sense wasted.
We're talking about him, so he's succeeded.
Yes. And really, it is not a good thing to have aboriginal children take his example . A backward step. Our indigenous people need forward thinkers. It is a good sign of the times we can discuss this. I have said before, our Nation will not reach our full potential until we have the courage to sort this out. I think it will cause some heartache, and angst, but it has to be done before we can move forward.