By Tony Nobbs/Photo: AP
02.12 - Anthony Mundine paid for his decision to challenge Sven Ottke so early in his career last night when the IBF Super Middleweight Champion crashed home a right hand with ten seconds remaining to knockout the previously undefeated #14 CONTENDER in Dortmund, Germany. After entering the ring to a warm welcome the 26 year old Australian gave a polished display of boxing for almost 10 rounds, making the man that respected US veteran trainer Don Turner called "the most brilliant technical boxer in the world" look like a second rate journeyman rather than a World Champion with 332 fights as an amateur and professional worth of experience. In the end it was his lack of tough fight preperation that led to his downfall. It was a simple case of Too Much-Too Soon. In a contest more like a chess match than a fight the feeling out period lasted for the first 3 rounds and the Australian coveried more ground than he did in his Rugby League days. Occasionally he would stop and step forward, connecting with flashy one two combinations. His hand and foot speed gave Ottke(now 25-0,5 ko's) problems as Sven attempted to cut the ring off and jabbed to the body of an out of range Mundine (now 10-1,8 ko's) who circled mostly to his left, with experienced referee Wayne Kelly, a New York social worker doing a good job of staying close preventing him from going right.
The action began to heat up in round five as Mundine got his left lead working and making the champion miss. During the early going Mundine taunted Ottke and the crowd and after avoiding a right hand early in the round, he held on to the top strand and did an "Ali Shufle". He was obviously gaining in confidence and this was a big round for him until the bell when he was deducted a point for head butting. Kelly also went to his corner and threatened to disqualify him if he did it again. There was no malice in Anthony's actions as Sven had pushed his head through the ropes and Mundine was trying to break free. Mundine outboxed his man in round five but did very little but dance in the sixth with Ottke stopping in centre ring in frustration pleading for a fight.The seventh was the same, Ottke seemed to breaking Mundine down with solid body shots on the inside. After being told by his father-trainer Tony to pick up the pace between rounds Mundine came out more aggressively, forcing the German to give ground throughout and landed two right hands near the bell which put Ottke on the floor. Kelly ruled it a slip (well, I suppose he did slip-after he was hit!). Sven rose quickly and was not seriously hurt. Round nine started fabulously for "The Man" as he connected with three clean rights which appeared to have Ottke in trouble. He rushed after Ottke who rolled under along the ropes. For most of this round Mundine looked to be one punch away from causing the biggest upset in a year of upsets. While he was going forward behind a feint or lead he showed future Ottke opponents that the 34 year old veteran has major difficulties boxing on the back move. With about one minute remaining Mundine backed against the ropes, where he had been defensively solid all night. Not this time. A right hand snuck through and Mundine's legs dipped. He was momentarily stunned and this was the turning point. Mundine showboated and was throwing at the bell but Ottke's confidence was evident.
In the tenth, Mundine started sitting on one punch and stopped going forward. He stood in front of Ottke trying to trade in centre ring in the final seconds and a right hand stood him up and forced him to smother. As he attempted to counter a moment later Ottke got home with the finisher, a short right to the temple. Once again Mundine's words came back to haunt him (during the week he had told reporters that "Ottke hit like a Woman"). It should have been called off immediately, Mundine crumbled to the canvas and never moved for 5 minutes. Kelly's 10 count was a sickening end to an average job. After the fight paramedics were originally refused entry into a depressed Team Mundine dressing room before Anthony was taken to a near by hospital. He was later released but told to "go straight to bed". Though there is already talk coming from Australia concerning a rematch, it is extremely unlikely in the near future. Hopefully Mundine will learn from his past mistakes (personally and professionally) and realise what could have been had he been properly seasoned. After his disgraceful comments regarding the September 11 Terror Attacks he made several important enemies in the Boxing World, with the WBC even stripping him of his #26 ranking.
His future is unclear, after watching him knocked out by the light punching Ottke, it is impossible to envisage him lasting with any of the division's major bangers and there is also speculation he will return to Rugby League if welcome. He wore the Red and White shorts (same colours as his old League club St George) he did in his pro debut on July 3 last year. Ottke wore Red and White Adidas trunks.The IBF Champion should have Unification bouts with Joe Calzaghe or Eric Lucas planned for next year.The statements Mundine has made in recent times damaged his image dramatically and takes a lot away from the good he had often done previously in Aboriginal Communities throughout Australia.
It was a disappointing night for Australian boxing with Shannan Taylor being defeated by England's Commonwealth Champion Richard "The Secret" Williams (now 15-1,13ko's) for the Vacant IBO Super Welterweight Title at Bethnal Green, England. After wining the first three rounds, Taylor (now 29-3-1,21 ko's) was stopped at 2min.17 of the fourth after Williams staggered him with a barrage of nine unanswered punches. Taylor,29, stopped in two of his previous three fights protested the stoppage.
Tony Nobbs, Australia
