Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Mundine trumps dad in boxing longevity

Anthony Mundine says he's probably had the worst preparation of his boxing career for next week's bout against Charles Hatley in Melbourne.

Anthony Mundine.
Veteran world ranked boxer Anthony Mundine says he wants to have a maximum of five more fights. (AAP)

Anthony Mundine says he wants to have a maximum of five more fights after remarkably spending more time as a professional boxer than his famous fighting dad Tony.

When 40-year-old Anthony steps into the ring against American Charles Hatley in Melbourne next week it will be 15 years and four months since his paid debut back in 2000.

Former middleweight world title contender and four-division Australian champion Tony, who retired at 32 in 1984, just a couple of weeks after the 15th anniversary of his first pro contest.

However, Tony had 96 fights while Anthony has tallied 53, which is still considered a large amount by modern-day standards as elite boxers tend to fight a lot less than those of previous eras.

What makes Anthony's record of family longevity more remarkable was that he didn't become a professional boxer until after he turned 25 and had played seven seasons of senior rugby league.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Neither of the Mundines ever imagined the son would be a professional pugilist for longer than the father.

"No, no way, especially starting so late," Anthony said.

"I would never imagined it," said Tony. "But he's a pure athlete, he's the best trainer going."

The younger Mundine will need to call on all the experience he has accumulated to overcome a difficult preparation for the defence of his WBC Silver super welterweight title against 13th ranked Hatley.

He has been troubled by tendonitis in both elbows.

"This is probably the worst preparation I've had because I've had an injury that is so annoying," Anthony said.

"It's been an up and down camp because of injuries and setbacks.

"I've had a lot of 12 round championship fights, so I've got that seasoning and that experience that I feel like I'm in good enough shape to be at my best."


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world