Echols and Mundine come face to face
By Paul Upham: August 31, 2003 -
SecondsOut
WBA No.1 Antwun Echols and WBA No.2 Anthony Mundine finally came face to face in Sydney on Wednesday during a press conference to promote their super middleweight world title showdown on August 6 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. In front of a packed room of media, after the two camps had overcome the dilemma of who would take their seats first on the dais, the conference started slow, before becoming a series of entertaining dialogue.
Im out to do a job, Im out to win a fight. Im not really worried about what he is thinking or what he is coming in with, the way his mentally is. I know where my mentality is at - and thats to win, said Mundine, 18-1 (14), in his opening tirade.
Echols, 29-4-1 (26), on the other hand took time to warm up, Im not a trash talker, he said. When pushed further for some thoughts on the fight, Ill do whatever is necessary to get the victory, he replied.
Both fighters praised the talents of each other, I rate him as a top ten fighter, said Echols.
No doubt, I have to give him his props. He is a great fighter, observed Mundine. Obviously, the biggest test of my career. The only guy to have beaten him in the last seven years is one of the best pound for pound, Bernard Hopkins. I know he is coming to win, so he is coming to fight. But I know that I am prepared mentally, physically, spiritually and I have everything that it takes to win. I know that even if he underestimates me a little bit, he is going to be shocked for what I can do.
The final sentence bringing cheers from Mundines family and friends who were present.
I have been sparring with guys that produce power and produce speed and can box, said Mundine, who says he is a much superior fighter to one who lost to Sven Ottke in December 2001.
I was a boy back then, he conceded. That was the tenth professional fight in my life. By right, I shouldnt even be in a position where I am. But I have worked damn hard to get where I am today. I am a great athlete, Ive proven that in rugby league and then I switched to boxing. I havent had no amateur background. The greatest adversity that I have faced in my life I have always overcome. I see this as another stepping stone.
Whether you are looking at the match-up from the USA or Australia, on paper, Echols is the favourite to win this fight. Even 28 year-old Mundine believes in terms of boxing experience, there is no way he should be tipped to win.
Logically speaking, experience wise, you see that he should beat me, he said. That he should do what he says he is going to do. But Im going to show the world that he aint going to do what he says he is going to do.
30 year-old Echols, who made the USA Olympic team after only two years of amateur boxing himself, knows first hand how talent and ability can overcome regular time frames of education and achievement, It can be done, he said. A mans mind goes so far. A mans mind can tell him what to do. But its up to him to take it up to that level.
Mundine denied he has major concerns about the power that Echols brings to the ring.
You shouldnt worry about hitting power. You have to face the best and what the best bring, he said. You have got to combat that. I have been working hard on my defence, working hard on surprising him in different ways. But he aint the only one packing heat. You have seen me knock them out. Ive knocked them out for minutes. I know I can punch too. If I hit him on the sweet spot I will definitely hurt him. Im not predicting no knockout, Im just predicting a win. If the knockout presents itself, I know how to finish it. Im just going to go out there and be a smart fighter.
Echols was asked if he knew much about Mundines abilities as a rugby league player. I dont pay too much attention to rugby, but I heard he was a great player, he replied.
The best, mate, yelled a Mundine supporter from the crowd.
Mundines father and trainer Tony beams with confidence when discussing his sons preparation for this fight.
At least 60-70% in my opinion, in boxing skill and combinations, was Mundine Sr.s assessment of his sons improvement. He knows what he has got to go up against. Hes in great shape. Hes been doing what the old boys used to do, plenty of boxing and plenty of road work in the morning.
Mundine Jr. credits the twelve weeks he has had to prepare as being an important ingredient for victory, for what he admits will be no easy win.
If it was meant to go fifteen rounds, I know I would have the stamina to do it, he says. You have got to give him respect, he is No.1 in the world. But at the same time, I am not going to be out there getting intimidated by him like previous opponents. Im going to show him. If he thinks he is strong, well I am strong too. I know I am faster. Its just a matter of boxing ability.
Echols trainer Dan Birmingham says his fighter is not just the puncher that his reputation carries before him.
Antwun has learned to box off his rhythm and set up his opponent, he said. Hes not the straight forward banger like he was before, take one to give one. Hes going to use his feint and his rhythm and box him and when the opportunity presents itself, hell take him out. Were confident of that. We didnt come all the way from St.Petersburg in Florida just to compete. We came here to win and on August 6 the WBA is going to crown him as champ Antwun Echols.
Well see, replied Mundine.
For the Man, winning the WBA title in his home time in front of his fans would be very special.
It would be a great achievement, obviously unprecedented, said Mundine. What I have already done is unprecedented. I can really shock the world beating a calibre opponent of Antwun Echols. The whole boxing world will sit up and take notice. It will fulfil my dreams, from ever since I was a little kid. Working so hard at what I wanted to achieve in boxing.
Also important for Mundine is how becoming world champion would boost the hopes of all Aboriginal Australia.
My brothers and sisters, we face a lot of issues down here, he said. Hopefully I can put back a little bit of strength, self-esteem and pride in communities. Basically we have to learn mentally that we can do it. That we can rise above anything that is in front of us. This is the biggest obstacle in my career and I want to confront it and rise on up.
Towards the end of the press conference, it turned into an entertaining verbal shoot-out between Mundine and Echols, the American seemingly having warmed up by this stage and after being earlier quite subdued, opened up to put on a show.
Mundine: At the end of the day, I am an Australian. I am an Australian boy, born and bred, the original Aboriginal. Were fighting Americans. When you fight Americans, they are the ones with the big mouths, they are the ones who say this and say that. Its our little country against their might of the world. Hopefully Australians will get behind me and realise that.
Echols: I havent said ten words since I got up here and us Americans are supposed to have big mouths? I havent got a problem with Australians. I have no problem with you. I am here to fight. Cant we fight without the harmony?
Mundine: I am just focused on winning. That is the main goal, to concentrate on winning. To make sure when the fight comes I am prepared in every way. I dont leave no stone unturned. I want to shock him man. I dont think he realises just how good I am and how good I can be. I know my potential and I know my abilities. I am just looking forward to the fight. I am just looking forward to the win.
Echols: Anthony, I never underestimated you. I just know what my abilities are capable of doing to you.
Mundine: Can I ask you a question. What did you have for breakfast this morning man?
Echols: I ate everything that was on my plate.
Mundine: Damn!
Echols: Whatever they had in stock I ate it.
Mundine: Anyway
obviously he believes in his ability, I believe in my ability. He believes he is the best and he is going to win. I believe I am the best and I am going to win.
Echols: I got short changed on my breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper. I have got to have it.
Mundine: We are going to see.
Echols: My appetite is big. Just like Tony the Tiger. I
am
great!
Mundine: Anyway
I am looking forward to winning and he better be eating his beans and his steaks.
Echols: You better not be having weak knees boy.
Mundine: You better not have weak knees. Youve been down more times than me.
Echols: Im a lion!
Mundine: You aint no lion. Im Simba baby!
Echols: Im Mufasa. Im going to get you, baby.
Mundine: Well see baby. Im a warrior. You are going to see the warrior baby. He wouldnt even get out of Redfern. (Mundines supporters cheer loudly).
Echols: Anybody care to come out and try to rumble?
Mundine: He better be careful. He might not make it home.
Echols: Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up. Weve got peace treaties here.
Tickets are still on sale for the seven-fight card at Ticketek outlets, with television coverage in Australia through Main Event Pay-Per-View from 7pm Eastern and at participating Fox Sports Pub and Club vision outlets.
Anthony Mundine vs. Antwun Echols 168lbs, 12 rounds
Audley Harrison vs. Colin Wilson heavyweight, 8 rounds
Gurkan Ozkan vs. Paul Smallman 168lbs, 8 rounds
Ergument Aslan vs. Benny Horra 160lbs, 6 rounds
Solomon Egberime vs. Ian Schaffa 147lbs, 6 rounds
Courtney Fry vs. Danny Kearney 175lbs, 4 rounds
David Dowden vs. Anthony Courtney 175lbs, 4 rounds
Paul Upham
