Southern Courier: Mundine v Wood: Whose camp are you in?

[The Botak]

30 NOV 10
BY RASHELL HABIB

Who is the real contender? Rabbitohs fans are being drawn into two distinct camps, camp Wood or camp Mundine, ahead of the big bout at Acer Arena on December 8.

The two Sydney boxers with Rabbitohs connections will step into the ring but it took the threat of legal action to get three-time world champion, Mundine to put his five-year unbeaten run on the line and face the winner of The Contender Australia, according to the Wood camp.

Garth’s father Barry Wood said Mundine had refused to fight Wood following the show’s finale.

“Garth’s rate of improvement, fitness and dedication is something that the Mundine camp hasn’t faced for a long time, hence the Mundine camp’s apprehension,” he said. “This is the first fight in a long time that hasn’t been hand picked by the Mundine camp.”

To fight Mundine, Garth had to drop from 76 kg to 72.5 kg - both camps had reached an agreement on 72.5kg, which meant Garth had to lose 5kg and Mundine had to go up 2kg.

Both Mundine and Wood have strong links to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Mundine was a South Sydney junior who has a mentoring role with the Rabbitohs, while Wood debuted with Souths at 17.

But on December 8 these old alliances will be put to the side. Mundine’s last defeat was against Mikkel Kessler in Sydney in 2005 but Wood is confident he can break this winning streak. “On December 8 I know everything will fall into place,” Wood said.

[Coachwoodmyrtle]

Wood is as tough as teak (scuse the obvious pun..) but I think he cuts too easily which may be a big problem.

[Brianj]

Both Mundine and Wood have strong links to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Mundine was a South Sydney junior who has a mentoring role with the Rabbitohs, while Wood debuted with Souths at 17.

But on December 8 these old alliances will be put to the side. Mundine’s last defeat was against Mikkel Kessler in Sydney in 2005 but Wood is confident he can break this winning streak. “On December 8 I know everything will fall into place,” Wood said.

Can anyone tell me how Mundine was a South Sydney Junior? I can only find references to him playing Junior Reps for St George and playing for Hurstville United?

[Dicky Boy]

Wood won't go down, on the other hand I can't see him winning a round

Mundine 120- Wood 108-110

[BUNSTER]

Very underated fighter and style.
He has to watch Mundines hand speed but Wood for mine.

[The Botak]

I'll back the South Sydney boy against the Hurstville bloke. You got it right Brianj, Mundine's association with Souths has been only since privatisation.

[South Sydney King]

I'll be cheering for Garth but like previously mentioned, his vulnerability to getting cut early on in fights will work against him.

[The Redfern Ranger]

Can anyone tell me how Mundine was a South Sydney Junior? I can only find references to him playing Junior Reps for St George and playing for Hurstville United?

He played his junior club football with Zetland.

They are having a weigh in at Redfern PCYC at 11.00am if any locals want to go down.

[The Perp]

As much as I'd like to tip Wood, I can't. I did originally, but that was heart over head.

Truth is, Mundine is a hardened professional, while Garth is a relative new-comer. The difference in class is staggering. Awkwardness and guts from Garth, after a round or two, will count for nothing when Mundine settles into the fight.

Mundine doesn't knock anyone out anymore. His reflexes have slowed. He looks older than he is. But he still has a great jab and can throw combinations that will keep Garth unbalanced and tentative.

As much as Garth will try to hold on, clinching, clinching, and more clinching, earning some point deductions from the ref, Mundine will easily outpoint him if he hasn't already stopped him on cuts in the late rounds.

Sorry Garth. But you are a welter horse in a listed race.

[The Redfern Ranger]

Anything can happen in a two horse race Perp. I agree that Mundine has him on paper, but Garth is no slouch.
The real problem is wether Garth can recover from the amount of weight that he has had to lose in 2 days. If it goes the distance Garth will be pushed to his limit, but one thing about Garth is that he is supremely fit. I think that he's fitter than Choc, but he's had to lose a hell of a lot of weight for someone that was already ripped.

[The Perp]

I hope that I am wrong. I really do. I can't stand Anthony Mundine, even though I admire his father and his uncles.

The class difference is just too much, in my opinion. But I hope you are right Redfern Ranger.

[Brianj]

He played his junior club football with Zetland.

They are having a weigh in at Redfern PCYC at 11.00am if any locals want to go down.

To what age? and did he play in any of the Souths Junior rep teams?

[Dicky Boy]

Well I was shocked, what an effort. Heart still counts for something

[The Perp]

I was totally wrong and I am glad I was.

Congratulations to Garth Wood. You did what I thought you couldn't do. You've made many Australians very happy.

[Brianj]

Good to see Garth beating Mundine, Rusty in a losers corner again and a real Souths Junior and player is a winner.

[The Perp]

I see Mundine is claiming foul.

Crowe's bum boy journalist Brad Walter is in The Herald today complaining that Garth hit Mundine on the back of the head just before the knockout. He describes the blow as a foul.

And Crowe's best mate Chris Murphy is claiming on his Twitter account that Garth hit Mundine with 14 illegal blows, that Wood didn't land any scoring punches, and he describes the fight as "crap".

Sore losers.

[Admin]

If the fight was crap and Mundine was 'robbed' then he'll be really keen for a re-match then won't he. Won't he? :rofl:

[Randy Neuman]

Wow. I'm giving Mundine quote of the year after being knocked out.... " Probably deserved it.."

[The Redfern Ranger]

The fight was crap — you could hardly call it a good fight.
Both boxers can hold responsibility for this. Choc managed to get the back of his head to collide just above Garth's left eye. Call me a cynic, but in my opinion it wasn't accidental. He then had about 3 shots at him after the bell had gone, one of which dazed Garth.

On the other hand, Garth threw a few rabbits, including the one that knocked him out. I wouldn't say Choc was robbed at all, but rabbit punches are illegal for a good reason — if you want to make someone a quadriplegic it's a good way to go about it.

I think Mundine has lost the hunger. I also think Garth deserved the win.

[SteveD123]

Prettiest Sight Ive seen in ages was Mundine languishing on the Canvas with the 'gone' look in his eyes !!

And the $12 (a Garth win) that Qld TAB bet mid arvo yesterday made it even Sweeter.

'The Man' was at the tomato sauce odds of $1.09 win.

[Thing]

Just saw Man and his mate SBW dinning in Perouse rd. I guess he can still eat?

[BUNSTER]

Congratulations Garth wood.Not many saw you coming,neither did the MAN.

It`s time for Anthony the MOUTH Mundine TO RETIRE.Don`t even contemplate the likes of maywether or paquio unless you want brain damage, and that is if you survive at all.
So long.

:boxing::banana3: