Anthony Mundine: Time to step up

Anthony Mundine, who takes on Garth Wood this weekend in a rematch, is unquestionably a larger-than-life character in his native Australian territory.

The Man, as he's known, knows how to sell a fight and he has charisma. The love-him or hate-him personality undoubtedly helps shift tickets. Whether it's people paying to see him win or others shelling out cash in the hope he'll lose, the bank manager is certainly happy.

In the ring Mundine has shown talent after admirably transferring from the sport of rugby. He's twice picked up Super-Middlweight WBA titles and was victorious in a grudge fight that captured the nation against Danny Green in 2006. He has quick feet, delivers nice, crisp shots and is capable of delivering a solid dig when he decided to sit down on his shots.

Yet, for me and many others, it's not enough. I would argue that Mundine, despite his genuine potential, has failed to live up to and justify his own proclamations of greatness.

After beating Green in that wonderful performance Mundine went on to take on the rather shopworn Sam Soliman twice (despite knocking him out the first time around). He then relinquished his WBA title - avoiding a match-up with mandatory challenger Mikkel Kessler, who had already comprehesively beat him. Why? Was he tarnished by the loss?

As far as I'm concerned, and with the greatest respect, in the past five years only the name of Daniel Geale (21-0) is a worthy opponent for a man who wants to be seen as a world level fighter. It was with credit, and a little controversy, that Mundine got a split decision win against the raw but talented unbeaten fighter in 2009.

Since then not much has happened. At the age of 35 it could well be too late for Mundine.

Since 2006 Mundine has languished and stagnated. Where he could have moved out of his comfort zone and sought challenges to test his character and boxing skill he has instead taken on the easier, low-risk contests.

Crazy Kim? Carlos Adan Jerez? Ryan Waters? Sorry, not good enough.

Perhaps the ticket sales in front of a roaring home crowd is enough for Mundine? Whatever the reason, I feel Australian boxing fans have been short changed. Mundine, with his personality, could have been a useful addition to the Super Six tournament that is making stars of the likes of Carl Froch and Andre Ward.

On Friday (April 8) Mundine, who has fought 44 times, will have a rematch with 12-fight novice Garth Wood - who sparked Mundine out in five rounds last December in what was a shock.

Credit to Mundine for going back in there to try and right a wrong (Mundine had boxed to an easy lead before he was caught) but how did it come to this in the first place?

Mundine has claimed last year he was looking at taking on the WBA Light-Middleweight Champion Miguel Cotto last year. He put a lack of focus down to the defeat. Yet, Mundine has frequently talked about jumping up and down weights and winning world titles.

Unfortunately, you have to be willing to take on the best to do that.

If he takes care of business this time around against Wood then what happens next? Talk is cheap - actions not words are needed.

Mundine, the man with the mouth - and talent - owes it to the Australian boxing scene to step up to the plate.

He might consider himself a "two weight champion" (the Geale fight was for the lightly-regarded IBO Middleweight belt) but he's not earned the right to be considered a genuine champion. You have to take proper challenges and proper risks to achieve that status.

It's time to move out of the comfort zone. Put up - or shut up.

John Murray: Cut him some slack

On the face of it John Murray's closer-than-expected points decision over Karim El Ouazghari does not make particularly impressive reading.

The Mancunian lightweight with the swirling, charging style was supposed to make a rampaging statement in London's East End at the iconic York Hall - not too far from domestic rival Kevin Mitchell's Essex manor.

Talk before the fight from many fights fans, and even Murray himself, indicated he might need to bother with Mitchell, who has languished in the dark since being swiped in three rounds by the Australian Michael Katsidis.

Such talk was banished after the 12 rounds though as the judges returned scores of 116-110, 117-112 and 115-112. Murray got the job done against a fighter with 14 records compared with his 30 but it wasn't explosive nor was it a classic showcase of boxing skills. Instead, Murray's defence didn't look great (he was left bruised around both eyes) and although he had Ouazghari reeling at the end, he didn't seem to have enough firepower to justify the hype.

With Mitchell sat ringside, suddenly many boxing fans were claiming the tables had been turned and instead of Murray not needing to worry about the Dagenham fighter, apparently Murray's struggle demonstrated Mitchell would be the likely victor if the two met.

Such thoughts illustrate the fickle (but fun) nature of the sport.

In defence of Murray - he had not fought for about eight months and looked rusty, he was taking on an unknown quantity (his trainer had not managed to get any videos beforehand) who was better than expected and perhaps, despite his professionalism and strong training team behind him, Murray might have struggled to get up for this one.

Boxing is about levels and there are some that question whether Murray has the qualities to crack on from the European scene - no mean feat to get to that level in the first place. We've seen with the likes of Brian Magee and Matthew Hatton, the gulf in class between the two levels.

However, while Murray may have made things a little difficult for himself with his performance, there are plenty others that believe this determined, focused champion who has the will power and underrated boxing skills to step up to the plate. He also has a developing fanbase, a fan-friendly style and is of course from a boxing-mad city. Much worse fighters have been given shots at a world title - and some have even grasped the opportunity and won.

I also question whether Kevin Mitchell really is the threat he's being made out to be. As an up-and-coming fighter Mitchell showed real promise and there's still every chance he can eventually fulfill his potential. However, I think his future lies at super-featherweight.

Michael Katsidis, such is his fanastic conditioning, may have been a one-off but his huge physique against Mitchell's brittle-looking frame made the fight a man versus boy contest.

Murray is a strong lightweight and would look to impose his size on Mitchell and push him back against the ropes. While Murray can be a little predictable and Mitchell has a good jab and reasonable footwork, would he be able to keep him off for 12 rounds?

Still, as we know, money talks and despite potentially earning a good purse, it will probably be in both paties' interests for a Murray - Mitchell showdown.

For Murray, it might cement a few more fans and if he's up for the fight - and he'll certainly know a lot about his opponent this time - then it could be a chance to ward off his doubters.

For Mitchell, it would boost his confidence, push the memories of Katsidis further back and give him a good title. However, the Dagenham boxer, in my view, should be focused on getting himself down to super-featherweight in the long term. He's too small for the elite at lightweight.

Let's hear it for the journeymen

A lot of casual observers might skim a boxer's record and dismiss the fighter as a nobody if they have more defeats than victories.

In such a tough sport, with so many obstacles, bad luck, injuries, promotional wrangles and so forth, it can be hard to make it through the fog.

To have a winning record is something to be proud of but it can also be misleading. A boxer with a bit of a quirk - that might mean talent but it could also mean a huge following, an attractive appearance or a confident manner in front of the camera - might be allowed to build up an unbeaten record to make them an even more attractive proposition.

In short, their record and ego may be inflated and unrepresentative of their actual talent.

But most fighters aren't afforded that luxury. It's often sink or swim as far as the promoter is concerned and as the passages of time many promosing talents end up sliding. Do they continue in the sport? Well, it depends if they still have the passion and something to offer. If a fighter is not being hurt and can provide something and be a test at some level of the sport than why not carry on.

This is where a journeyman may appear.

Let's flip the coin from the unbeaten prospect and his cushioned path towards glory and look at two classic examples of journeymen at their very best - the American Anthony Ivory and gritty Brit Peter Buckland.

Anthony Ivory finished fighting in 2006. He ended up with a 32-78-5 record. In 115 fights he was only stopped five times.

Ivory actually won the first eight of his nine fights before his record slid. Perhaps his most memorable victory came in 1993 when he stopped future world title challenger Antwun Echols in one round.

Here are a list of future world champions and world title challengers he fought: Julio Cesar Vasquez, Luis Ramon 'Yori Boy' Campas, Ronald 'Winky' Wright, Chris Pyatt, Syd Vanderpool, Mamadou Thiam, Harry Simon, Hacine Cherifi, Mikkel Kessler, Armand Kranjc, Silvio Branco, Howard Eastman, Felix Sturm, Wilfredo Rivera, Keith Holmes, Yuri Foreman, Kelly Pavlik, Marco Antonio Rubio.

So, of that exulted company above, Ivory made it to the final bell in 14 of the 18 contests.

For many casual fight fans staying on your feet for an inevitable points loss isn't much of an achievement. I would say, in this case, those people are missing the point.

Journeymen fighters often save the show at the last minute when fighters pull out. They often prove a stern test of a prospect's credentials. Good journeymen are skilled enough to avoid getting seriously hurt and while they rarely get the bright lights of fanfare they are wholly appreciated by those inside the sport of boxing.

Birmingham boxer Peter Buckley had an incredible 300 fights in a career spanning nearly 20 years.

Buckley had a reasonable start to his career. Of his first 31 fights he won 17.

Of course, his final record was a lot different - 32-256-12. He was stopped 10 times and his best achievements were arguably winning the Midlands Area Super-Featherweight Championship in 1992 and the Midlands Area Super-Bantamweight title in 1995.

If you look at Buckley's record, the man was fighting up to three times a month, even towards the tail-end of his career. Just think how important he has been to boxing promoters.

What a servant to the sport.

Let's look at the notable names on Buckley's record: 'Prince' Naseem Hamed (twice), Duke McKenzie, Michael Brodie (twice), Paul Ingle (twice), Colin McMillan and Acelino Freitas.

Here are some of the notable domestic names on Buckley's record: Spencer Oliver, Jason Booth, Scott Harrison, Michael Gomez, Richie Wenton, Jason Cook, Bradley Pryce, Gavin Rees, Lee Meager, Scott Lawton, Derry Matthews and John Murray.

There are also numerous debutants and other decent domestic-level fighters whose learning curve in the sport was aided by taking on the experienced and wily Buckley.

In his final fight Buckley managed to score a rare victory when he outpointed Martin Mohammed over four rounds. Fittingly he was awarded a small trophy and belt.

He then bowed out of boxing.

Respected if not revered. Peter Buckley, like Anthony Ivory, deserves figtht fans' respect for his services to the sport.

* I'm keen to hear from fellow fight fans. If anyone wants to get in touch I can be reached via twitter: http://twitter.com/jabhookblog/