Sometimes boxing matches can be little more than bullshit on steroids. It can have gallons and gallons of paint thrown over it, but in reality, it's still nothing but a giant ugly beast that's being foisted on the general public. And the strange thing is, we can clearly see the crap heading pall mall in our direction, but the hype that accompanies it is so enticing, that we helplessly stand there and let it wash all over us. There we stand, **** splattered. We know we've been weak and pitiful, and we're somewhat embarrassed by our failure to avoid the incoming shots of fecal matter, but what the ****? I'm a human being and as such, I'm filled with all manner of shortcomings.
So what's this all about? It's about Anthony Mundine's fight with Danny Green in Adelaide tonight. To those who happen to live anywhere but Australia, and know nothing of these two, I can under the following question being asked. "Who the **** are they?" Well they're a couple of old fighters well past their prime, who've been at each other in the press for what seems like forever. They fought once, at middleweight back in 06 when Mundine's speed proved to much for Green. He won on points. Both are now in their early 40s, and are ex world champions who want to take each other's head off. And the hype has been huge. Mundine has a horrible mouth that's been his undoing in the eyes of the general public. He's been one of the most obnoxious, sporting personalities this country has seen in many a decade. Ask anyone in the street what outcome to the fight they want, and most will want Mundine carried from the ring on a stretcher. Personally, I don't like the man either, but have a respect for what he's achieved in the ring. He's a former WBA & IBO Middleweight World Champion. Tonight in what promises to be his final curtain call, he has the fight of his life on his hands. So much so, that calls have been made to have the fight shut down. But Anthony Mundine is more than just a former champion, he's also a master when it comes to self promotion. And his touch has guaranteed that this fight will put millions in their pockets. Seriously, they'll make a minimum of $3,000,000 each for a fight that's worth probably no more than a few thousand a piece. It's PPV and it's highway robbery. They're charging the same for their clash as Mayweather and Pacquiao did for their bout. And it's selling like bloody hot cakes. Any do you know what these brave souls are charging for a premium seat? Better that $2,000. I'm stunned by the audacity of it all.
About the men though. Danny Green has always been the bigger man. When they met on 06, Green had to waste like crazy to make the middleweight limit, something he's since complained long and loud about. He's been like a friggin' dog with a bone, he won't let it alone. He's wanted to get Mundine in the ring ever since. Now it's happening. The problem is though, Anthony Mundine is now going to enter the ring at an extreme weight disadvantage. In his last fight, he fought at 153 pounds but tonight's fight is set at 183 pounds. Both made the weight, but Green is expected to enter the ring, re-hydrated to about 195 pounds. At the weighin, Green looked a monster alongside Mundine. And Danny Green was no mug. He held the WBA & IBO World Cruiserweight titles, and the man can bang. Betting has "The Green Machine" a heavy odds on favourite and "The Man" at around 5-2. It's going to be a little bloke throwing fast and free from the outside, against a stalking, menace with power in both hands. Few see Mundine surviving the distance. He's full of confidence though and says he's schooled Green in the past and he'll do it again tonight.
The odd thing about this bout though, is that Danny Green is now being seen as a bit of a bully. Big man picking on a littler one, one he's been hounding for better than a decade. And there's some truth in it. But Mundine is a master money maker, so if he gets it in the neck this evening, he at least can go home with an extra truck load of cash to add to the reputed $10,000,000 he already owns. As stated above, I don't like Anthony Mundine, but for his uphill battle tonight, I think he'll have me in his corner. Go the massive underdog. I hope I can find a free stream.
