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Green downs Mundine in controversial rematch

Danny Green has beaten Anthony Mundine in the final clash of their bitter boxing rivalry.

Green won via a split points decision at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, exacting belated revenge for his 2006 loss to Mundine.

The 43-year-old West Australian triumphed in a desperately tight fight, which the judges scored 94-94; 96-94 and 98-90, in what is expected to be the final fight of both boxer's careers.

The victory came despite a controversial moment in the opening round, that threatened to spell an end to the 43-year-old Green’s night.

I WAS ROBBED: Mundine slams judges after controversial loss

MOMENT OF TRUTH: The answer that kept concussed Green in the fight

Green was clearly wobbly on his feet after the hit.
Green was clearly wobbly on his feet after the hit.

Green came out swinging early on but was rocked by a late punch from Mundine that saw him fall to the canvas in the first round.

Social media quickly lit up after Mundine's blow, with some labelling it a "cheap shot".

Green capitalised on his weight advantage of up to four kilograms against Mundine, his strength countering Mundine's trademark speed in a largely even bout.

Whether Mundine made good on his pledge to refuse to stand for the national anthem before the bout was unknown as both fighters remained in their dressing rooms while Advance Australia Fair was sung.

Green bounced back strongly after being rocked in the first round. Pic: Getty
Green bounced back strongly after being rocked in the first round. Pic: Getty

Within 90 seconds of the fight getting underway, Green crumbled from a cheap shot from Mundine, who cracked him in the jaw when his rival wasn't looking as the referee attempted to break the fighters.

Green was dazed and examined by the ringside doctor before the fight continued - both fighters traded equal blows in the initial four rounds, none overly damaging though Green did land two telling uppercuts.

Mundine, in his first fight since November 2015 and subsequent hip surgery, clipped Green with a sweet right in the fifth but there was little to split the ageing boxers.

EARLIER:

Both Danny Green and Anthony Mundine remained in their respective dressing rooms as the national anthem was sung.

After a week of controversy with Mundine refusing to stand for what he called a "racist" national anthem, there was no fighter in the ring when Australian Jessica Mauboy performed.

Moments later, indigenous men came out as part of Mundine's entourage on his walk to the ring at 10.30pm local time.

Green, meantime, walked out to Aussie tune Land Down Under.

COOPER V MCINNES:
Australian rugby union star Quade Cooper has defeated opponent Jack McInnes in the second round on the Danny Green-Anthony Mundine undercard.

In a fight that left many questioning the integrity of the Australian boxing scene, Cooper prevailed with 18 seconds left on the clock in the second.

Cooper put together a combination that almost brought McInnes to his knees before the referee put a stop to the fight.

Cooper and McInnes at the weigh in. Source: Facebook
Cooper and McInnes at the weigh in. Source: Facebook

McInnes had been widely panned for his apparent lack of fitness, but was given the opportunity against Cooper given his 50-fight muay thai resume.

Bloodied just seconds into the second round, McInnes put up a brave fight against the fitter 28-year-old Cooper.

The rugby star has now notched up his third victory in three bouts, after wins over Warren Tresidder in 2014 and Barry Dunnett in 2012.

THE FULL CARD
Danny Green (36-5-0) def Anthony Mundine (47-8-0) by majority decision — cruiserweight
Trent Broadhurst (19-1-0) def Nader Hamdan by fourth round TKO — light heavyweight
Quade Cooper (3-0-0) def Jack McInnes (0-3-0) by TKO — cruiserweight
Andrew Moloney (12-0-0) def Renoel Pael (21-4-1) by unanimous decision — bantamweight
Tim Tszyu (2-0-0) def Mark Dalby (4-13-0) by TKO — middleweight
Jason Moloney (12-0-0) def Marco Demecillo (22-7-1) by unanimous decision — super-bantamweight
Antonio Caruso (1-0-0) def Friday Nwaiwu (3-7-0) by majority decision (38-38, 39-38, 39-38) — cruiserweight
David Aloua (12-2-0) def Filipo Fonoti Masoe (3-12-0) by unanimous decision — cruiserweight
Shane Tuck (1-1-0) def Ivan Kolar (1-6-0) by unanimous decision — cruiserweight