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Green throws down gauntlet to Mundine
JUSTIN CHADWICK
February 11, 2010
AAP
IBO cruiserweight world champion Danny Green says arch rival Anthony Mundine should leave the country in disgrace if he turns down the deal of a lifetime for a re-match.
In an amazing turn of events that has dramatically boosted the chances of a re-match that looked dead and buried just months ago, Green announced he was prepared to fight Mundine in Sydney instead of his hometown of Perth.
He even said he'd put his cruiserweight world title on the line, which he defended when he knocked out American great Roy Jones Jr last year.
And to further entice Mundine - a proud Aborigine - Green said 10 per cent of the multi-million dollar purse would go to a charity fund assisting young indigenous Australians, with the remaining money to be split evenly between the pair.
Flanked by Aboriginal AFL player Des Headland from the Fremantle Dockers, former West Coast premiership defender David Wirrpanda and school kids from Girrawheen High School, Green called on Mundine to come out of 'hiding' and accept the offer.
"I don't see how he could possibly turn this offer down," Green said on Thursday.
"And if he does I suggest he check his passport and leave this country because he'd have to hang his head in shame, especially considering that 10 per cent of the purse will be going directly to the indigenous youth of this country.
"For me personally it's an investment in our future and investment in the indigenous youth in this country.
"This I think is what's going to smoke him out of the hole he's been hiding in since he called me out of retirement."
Green lost to Mundine in a unanimous points decision at super middleweight in Sydney in 2006 and hung up the gloves two years later.
But at the persistent urging of Mundine, Green came out of retirement in February last year and just 10 months later thrust his name into boxing immortality by knocking out legend Roy Jones Jr in Sydney.
Green tried to lure Bernard Hopkins to Australia but the American superstar instead chose to fight Jones Jr.
Mundine has shied away at the prospect of fighting Green since the 36-year-old came out of retirement.
But Green said there were no longer any excuses for the man nicknamed 'Choc' and suggested the cruiserweight fight could be held on Anzac Day.
"Don't let Anthony Mundine or anyone around him fool you about the weight division difference, that there's a massive difference," Green said.
"All Anthony has to do is not starve himself to make the weight and we're the same, simple.
"I'll lose a few kilos, he just doesn't have to starve himself and we're at the same weight.
"So don't let anyone fool you that there's a massive difference in weight.
"And don't forget he's already said in the press that he'll whip me at heavyweight.
"Now I won't be anywhere near heavyweight, so if he's going to whip me at heavyweight, there's no problem doing me at cruiserweight.
"I think there's nothing fairer than what we're doing. He's done very well out of the boxing game.
"He's been fighting guys that are of no threat, now it's time he steps up.
"Don't forget he called me out of retirement, I accepted the challenge, came out of retirement and he ran the other way."
© 2010 AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/green-throws-down-gauntlet-to-mundine-20100211-nu46.html
JUSTIN CHADWICK
February 11, 2010
AAP
IBO cruiserweight world champion Danny Green says arch rival Anthony Mundine should leave the country in disgrace if he turns down the deal of a lifetime for a re-match.
In an amazing turn of events that has dramatically boosted the chances of a re-match that looked dead and buried just months ago, Green announced he was prepared to fight Mundine in Sydney instead of his hometown of Perth.
He even said he'd put his cruiserweight world title on the line, which he defended when he knocked out American great Roy Jones Jr last year.
And to further entice Mundine - a proud Aborigine - Green said 10 per cent of the multi-million dollar purse would go to a charity fund assisting young indigenous Australians, with the remaining money to be split evenly between the pair.
Flanked by Aboriginal AFL player Des Headland from the Fremantle Dockers, former West Coast premiership defender David Wirrpanda and school kids from Girrawheen High School, Green called on Mundine to come out of 'hiding' and accept the offer.
"I don't see how he could possibly turn this offer down," Green said on Thursday.
"And if he does I suggest he check his passport and leave this country because he'd have to hang his head in shame, especially considering that 10 per cent of the purse will be going directly to the indigenous youth of this country.
"For me personally it's an investment in our future and investment in the indigenous youth in this country.
"This I think is what's going to smoke him out of the hole he's been hiding in since he called me out of retirement."
Green lost to Mundine in a unanimous points decision at super middleweight in Sydney in 2006 and hung up the gloves two years later.
But at the persistent urging of Mundine, Green came out of retirement in February last year and just 10 months later thrust his name into boxing immortality by knocking out legend Roy Jones Jr in Sydney.
Green tried to lure Bernard Hopkins to Australia but the American superstar instead chose to fight Jones Jr.
Mundine has shied away at the prospect of fighting Green since the 36-year-old came out of retirement.
But Green said there were no longer any excuses for the man nicknamed 'Choc' and suggested the cruiserweight fight could be held on Anzac Day.
"Don't let Anthony Mundine or anyone around him fool you about the weight division difference, that there's a massive difference," Green said.
"All Anthony has to do is not starve himself to make the weight and we're the same, simple.
"I'll lose a few kilos, he just doesn't have to starve himself and we're at the same weight.
"So don't let anyone fool you that there's a massive difference in weight.
"And don't forget he's already said in the press that he'll whip me at heavyweight.
"Now I won't be anywhere near heavyweight, so if he's going to whip me at heavyweight, there's no problem doing me at cruiserweight.
"I think there's nothing fairer than what we're doing. He's done very well out of the boxing game.
"He's been fighting guys that are of no threat, now it's time he steps up.
"Don't forget he called me out of retirement, I accepted the challenge, came out of retirement and he ran the other way."
© 2010 AAP
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/green-throws-down-gauntlet-to-mundine-20100211-nu46.html
