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Paul Upham is a senior boxing writer for SecondsOut.com and writes regular weekly articles for AussieBox.com.au. In 2003 he was rated No.11 amongst the worlds best boxing writers. He has appeared on air as a boxing analyst for Main Event Pay-Per-View, Sky Channel, Fox Sports, Sky News Australia, SBS television, Radio 2UE Sydney, Radio SEN Melbourne and writes monthly for The Fist magazine..
FROM THE MOUTH OF THE MAN.....
By Paul Upham

I'm Anthony Mundine and I'm the Man! Yeah, I haven't got my world title belt right now, they robbed me in May against Siaca. I was winning that fight easy. My hand speed and movement were so fast you couldn't even see me landing the punches. I was winning by so much I could afford to take the last round off. You think I would have done that if I were behind?

I don't get any respect. The media gave it to me after the Siaca fight, but they all still want a piece of me. Don King wants me too. Who’s the biggest pay-per-view star in this country? Who puts the most bums on seats? It’s party time for Fox Sports and Main Event every time I fight. After being a rugby league superstar and with no amateur boxing career, here I am fighting for, and winning world titles and the media want to criticise me for that? Who needs them? My man Danny Weidler at the Sun-Herald will look after me. Don’t need them rednecks across the street.

Everywhere I go, all people want to ask me about is Danny Green. I was so pissed off about all the questions that I went to the golf course the other day to relax. I only lasted 10 holes though, everyone yelling out, 'you're on the Green' all the time. I'd like to see him fight Siaca with a shot ankle that feels like jelly. See how many rounds he'd last. Says he's the most popular fighter in Perth. So what? Come with me to Redfern and see how big my fan base is there with all my bro’s. He can't talk. He was lucky to survive against Sullivan in March. Nearly had to be carried out. Sean couldn't land a glove on me the first time we fought and if you didn't see it, just watch on Wednesday night and you'll see an even better performance. People want to criticise me for fighting him again but I just want to put on a few rounds for my fans. At least Sullivan comes to fight. And when I put him to sleep, we'll see then who does all the bragging. Ask Guy Waters and Timo Masua who's the hardest puncher in the super middleweight division.

How quickly they all forget. Everyone said I have no chance against Echols. He’s this big bad monster coming to get me. Man, you should have known I was too fast for him. I told ya all that I was going to be world champion. Bernard Hopkins doesn’t want to face Echols for a third time he’s so rough and tough. Here I am taking his best punches. Damn, how can anyone say I can’t take a punch? All my critics take notice. I will be back. I will become world champion again and now I know how to stay champion. I’m still learning this game and the best is yet to come.

Just got back from the USA training with my man Roy Jones and his dad Roy Sr. Man they are something else! And they call me cocky? Now I know what boxing training is all about. Now I can see. I won the world title with my eyes closed. Now you’re going to see some real performances. Yeah, this is only the beginning. I’m going to shock the world again. Where’s Sven Ottke anyway? As soon as he has to fight me again, he runs away and retires. He knew how close I got to him the first time around in Germany and he didn’t want a second lesson. Calzaghe offers me chump change to fight him in the UK. They’ll all get their dues. When I get my WBA title back, then I'll be chasing the IBF and WBC belts. Siaca, Lacy, Sanavia, Beyer, Brewer, Larsen, Kessler bring them all on. And if Green wants a shot he better have a belt around his waist. But just remember…I'm the Man and I'm the one calling the shots.

Note: The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily the opinions of Anthony Mundine, Choc Mundine, Team Mundine or The Man either.



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