Anthony Mundine has fought back tears while paying an emotional tribute to his legendary father Tony, describing the Aussie boxing icon as the man who shaped every part of his life.
Speaking to reporters after arriving back in Australia, Mundine opened up about the huge influence his father had on him both inside and outside the ring.
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“He was everything to me, man,” Mundine told ABC.
“He taught me how to be a man, make the right choices in life.
“Don’t drink. Don’t smoke. No drugs.
“I live by that to this day.”
Tony Mundine, one of the greatest fighters Australia has produced, died at the age of 75 after suffering a heart attack.
Anthony had been overseas when the news broke and immediately began making his way home, writing on social media that he was “broken” by the loss.
Back in Australia on Tuesday afternoon, Mundine spoke with enormous pride about the man he had idolised from childhood.
“I wanted to be like him growing up,” he said.
“I saw the admiration and respect he used to get from people. I was like, ‘This guy must be special’, you know what I mean? And I wanted to be like that.”
Tony would eventually play a central role in his son’s transformation from rugby league star to boxing world champion.
But the lessons began long before Anthony launched his pro career, with his father teaching him the foundations of the sport as a young boy.
“He taught me as a kid the fundamentals of the game – jab and footwork and things like that,” Mundine said.
Yet Anthony believes his dad’s achievements have never been afforded the recognition they deserve.
Tony grew up in the small Indigenous community of Baryulgil in northern New South Wales, living without running water or electricity before fighting in Jimmy Sharman’s travelling boxing tents as a teenager.
From there, he moved to Sydney and became Australia’s leading middleweight contender and travelled the world, eventually challenging boxing superstar Carlos Monzon for the world title in Argentina in 1974.
“I don’t think he gets enough credit for what he did, for what he achieved as a black fella who came from the mission out at Baryulgil to reach the heights that he did,” Mundine said.
“He travelled the world. He is the epitome of: it doesn’t matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter where you are, you can make it.
“Living on dirt floors, to come out of that poverty and become number one in the world.
“And remember, back then there was only one belt, WBA, and so out of the best of the best fighters he was number one in the world and gave Carlos Monzon a scare in Argentina.
“Man, I’m so proud of him.
“It was a pleasure to be his son.”
Tony retired in 1984 with 80 victories, including 64 knockouts, from a remarkable 96-fight career.
He won Australian titles across four weight divisions – middleweight, light-heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight – and remained unbeaten against Aussie opposition throughout his 16 years as a pro.
After retiring, Mundine opened a gym in Redfern and became an enormously respected mentor within the local community.
“He helped so many kids in Redfern,” boxing legend Jeff Fenech told Ten News.
“Not just Redfern but kids from all around the area.”
‘The Marrickville Mauler’ believes a state funeral would be a fitting farewell for a man who made such an enormous contribution to Australian sport and the wider community.
“It would be massive,” he said.
“A state funeral for somebody like that would be amazing…”
“I think about his greatness as a fighter but as a human, unbelievable, spoke to everybody, had time for everybody.”
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Anthony also took time to thank the public for the outpouring of support his family had received.
“It’s the day after I lost one of my best mates and role models,” he said in a message posted to Instagram.
“I just want to say thanks to the public for all the messages.
“I really appreciate it. The family appreciates the love and support that you guys have been showing.
“I must’ve cried halfway coming back on the plane, breaking down and whatnot.
“He was a loved man, a great man and a gentleman in all facets.”