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'Back in the game': Anthony Mundine's stunning call on boxing future

Anthony Mundine has vowed to restore his standing in the boxing world with a win over Michael Zerafa. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Anthony Mundine has vowed to restore his standing in the boxing world with a win over Michael Zerafa. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Countless people have tried to talk Anthony Mundine out of his upcoming fight with Michael Zerafa, a man 17 years his junior.

Jeff Fenech tried to talk him out of it. Mundine's own father has said he fears for his son's wellbeing.

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Even boxing broadcaster Main Event has refused to show the bout, forcing Mundine to host a pay-per-view stream of the fight on his own website for a $29.95 fee.

Still though, the 44-year-old Mundine has vowed to get 'back in the game' by defeating Zerafa on March 13 at Bendigo Stadium.

Speaking in an interview with Wide World of Sports to promote the fight, Mundine said he was keen to give his opponent a 'reality check' and win back some respect from boxing fans.

"I'm going to give him a reality check and redeem myself and get all of the glory from it. Nobody thinks I'm going to win," he said.

"Bro, If I win this fight I'm back in the game and have a lot more options. If something motivates me to fight again, maybe fight for a world title or a big-money fight."

Sceptics will point to Mundine's recent record, in which he has lost four of his previous five fights, as proof that Mundine is well past his prime.

The former NRL star is a $7.75 rank outsider to win, with Zerafa heavily favoured among bookmakers at $1.05 to win.

Anthony Mundine bullish ahead of Michael Zerafa fight

Mundine's previous fight, a split decision loss to John Wayne Parr which was supposed to be his boxing swansong, as well as a first round loss to Jeff Horn, haven't done him any favours.

However Mundine has claimed Horn's camp set him up for failure in the hours prior to their bout, enforcing strict weight limits on the veteran.

"He drained me down to 71kg but then they made me weigh in again an hour before the fight and I couldn't be more than 75kg. So I couldn't even put on four kilos," Mundine said.

"They knew what they were doing, it was strategic and wasn't right."

A bullish Mundine was confident his last two fights were an aberration, boasting that he could defeat Zerafa at the ripe old age of 50 if that's what it came to.

Anthony Mundine and Michael Zerafa are set to fight on April 12 in Bendigo. (Photo by Dave Hewison/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Anthony Mundine and Michael Zerafa are set to fight on April 12 in Bendigo. (Photo by Dave Hewison/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"I'm still youthful, energetic. I'm seasoned and experienced. Doesn't matter how old he is. I wish he was younger," Mundine said.

"I'm going to talk to him the whole fight. Every round. I'll hit him with a jab and say, 'Gotcha'. I'm going to get into his head.

"He'd be lucky to beat me when I'm 50. I wanna let the older fellas know it ain't over until it's over, baby."

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