Green edges Mundine in disputed decision

The 10 round fight for Green’s domestic cruiserweight title was conducted at a catchweight of 183 pounds. At 16x16 feet the small ring looked to benefit Green, who at 182.5lb came in 7.7lb heavier than Mundine at 174.8lb.

In front of a crowd of almost 28,000 fans, the fight was a battle between Green’s superior size and strength and Mundine’s speed and athleticism. In what was widely expected to be the last fight of both boxers’ careers, Mundine used his speed and movement while Green brawled and mauled and roughed up Mundine in close.

In a rough and tumble opening stanza Mundine caught Green with a left hook in a clinch as referee Frank Garza called break, sending Green spinning across the ring clearly concussed. Ringside physician Dr Lou Lewis looked like he wanted to stop the fight there and then, but Green insisted on continuing. The infringement cost Mundine a point.

In his first fight since losing a wide decision to Charles Hatley at junior middleweight in November 2015, Mundine showed few signs of rust and moved fluidly around the ring after hip surgery last year to mend a longterm injury.

The first four rounds were close with not much separating them. Green appeared fatigued as early as the third as Mundine kept peppering him with sharp, laser-like jabs. In the fifth Mundine bloodied Green’s nose while Green banked on single right hands to stem the tide.

Mundine appeared in control by the middle rounds and in the seventh had one of his best rounds in the fight when he landed a pair of right hands to Green’s head that staggered him. The same round saw a frustrated Green lash out with an elbow that saw him docked a point.

Going into the 8th Mundine looked fresh while Green was gasping for air. Mundine backed Green up, outworking the naturally bigger man and making good use of the left hook. In the 10th and final round Mundine went for the kill, desperate to make a statement. Green valiantly pushed forward but was largely ineffective, his face is bloodied and marked up.

Green dug deep in the last two rounds but Mundine went with him and outgunned him in most of the exchanges.

When the dust settled Australian judge Tom Ferrauto had it a draw at 94-94, American Steve Morrow had Green slightly ahead 96-94, while American Hubert Minn scored it an incomprehensibly wide 98-90, giving Mundine the 7th round only.

Green also paid tribute to his longtime rival, who was clearly disappointed by the result.

“I just want to pay a special tribute, I want everyone in here to raise their hands and clap,” Green said. “I don’t care what you think, but for putting on a show for all you guys, for being one of the best athletes in the country, hands up for Anthony Mundine now please!”