One thing about Mundine is that he knows how to promote himself. EVerything Mundine has ever done is about publicity. The Thornberry feud, the Danny Green Slanging match, the Fenech slanging match, the choice of opponents. The criticising of greats, the WTC comments etc.
Mundine goes by the saying that any publicity is good publicity. Now that he is close to becoming a World Champion he is trying to become a bit more subtle and humble, because he knows that it will increase his worth. In the meantime, he needs to milk as much publicity as he can. Boxing is not like rugby league. The media dont report the sport like league, it is up to the boxers to make something worth reporting.
Mundine was criticised for fighting this Japanese guy. I have lost track of the media coverage given to the poor choice of opponents. Dare I say it, if he had chosen a tougher more difficult opponent he would not have got half the press he did. Mundine knows that his biggest payday is vs Ottke, Calzaghe or Green. Beyer also might be a decent sized purse as could Sam Soloman if promoted properly. The Jap fighter was chosen, I believe, because he was no risk but he was a good way to get publicity and set up the bigger fights as well as get rounds under his belt (Dont forget how inexperienced Mundine still is really). Since it was a voluntary defence, Mundine would be stupid not to take any bigger risk. Hopefully his next bout will be with one of the other big fights already mentioned. I think Mundine-Calzaghe would be the best fight for Mundine.
I didnt watch the Mundine fight but it is clear that he was dropped by a right. Mundine himself acknowledged it was not a slip. It is a good sign that he got up quick. The Mundine fighting style leaves him open for the occassional knockdown. The knockdown really is no different to the Muhammed Ali knock down to Ernie Banks. It was legitimate but it does not really prove anything. Having said that, it does show that Mundine must be always at the top of the game. Mundine SNR is the prime example of getting a little loose and being knocked out in fights. Mundine must be on his game to ensure the same thing doesnt happen to him.
This fight tells us nothing of who would win Mundine Green, really. At this stage, I dont think either fighter has shown enough with their back to the wall (through no real fault of their own). At this stage I lean to Mundine, as his speed should be decisive and I am not as convinced of Danny's chin (due mainly to the smallman? fight where he was wobbled and struggled badly for quite a while). STill, I do think it would be a brilliant fight, particularly if it were a unifying fight. I would also reserve my right to change depending on what Danny Green does in his next 2 or 3 fights.
j/k
