Entertainment

Anthony Mundine ditches retirement just months in to restore ‘bragging rights’

Feb 07, 2019

Anthony Mundine confirmed on Thursday's Sunrise that he's coming out of retirement. Source: Getty

Anthony Mundine famously announced his retirement from boxing after being knocked out by Jeff Horn in under two minutes last November in an epic match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

But the 43-year-old has now appeared on Sunrise to confirm that after just two months, he will be coming out of retirement. He said that he was returning to the ring after reflecting on the outcome of his last fight with Horn – which saw him knocked out in the first round after just 96 seconds.

“I wanted to win that fight and sail into the sunset and live happily ever after,” he explained on Thursday’s episode of the hit morning show. “The way things turned out through God’s will, I really feel that ‘the man’ can’t go out like that.”

Mundine has long referred to himself as “the man” following his career as a rugby player and later a professional boxer.

“The man built a legacy so great that I can’t go out in that fashion,” he continued – adding that he wanted a rematch with Horn.

A shocked David Koch responded by joking that Mundine is now ‘the John Farnham of boxing’. Fans of Farnham will recall he famously toured Australia with his “The Last Time” concert in 2002, only to come out of retirement and continue performing.

Mundine didn’t seem bothered by Kochie’s joke however, even referring to himself as Michael Jackson and adding: “I might be the Michael Jackson, I’m going to come back from the dead, man. You’re going to see it.”

Mundine was telling a very different story when he was defeated late last year, explaining that his time was up and that the fight really was the end of his career.

“My time’s up, and good luck to Jeffrey,” he said at the time.

Sunrise host Samantha Armytage was curious to know what had changed in the few months since Mundine’s spectacular defeat. He said he wanted to beat Horn and that his career wouldn’t continue on for long.

“Obviously if I lose again, I’m done. It’s finished,” he said. “I’m feeling too good, too fresh and still feeling great.”

The former Celebrity Big Brother star said losing the last fight was between him and “the creator” and added that he knew Horn couldn’t beat him. Mundine’s next fight will be against Michael Zerafa and he said he would keep fighting until he got his rematch with Horn.

It took Jeff Horn less than two minutes to knock out Anthony Mundine in their middleweight bout. pic.twitter.com/1fxBwio7Kd

— ESPN (@espn) November 30, 2018

“I always had to have that last say and be victorious,” he added. “I had to have the bragging rights and right now he’s got the bragging rights.”

Viewers at home took to Facebook to share their thoughts on the father-of-five’s announcement.

“He’s like poo that won’t flush,” one viewer quipped. Another said: “DON’T DO IT! You are better off going out on one loss than 50. Stay away! Horn is better than you so live with it.”

Others were excited to see Mundine back in the ring, with one comment reading: “You go Anthony Mundine never give up we been knocked down far too often but we all still standing.”