Mundine trumps dad in boxing longevity
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.
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."
