The untold story behind this iconic pic of Anthony Mundine

It’s the favourite photo of those who love to hate Anthony Mundine, but there’s actually a lot more to it than meets the eye.

The iconic pic was taken in 2001, seconds after Mundine had been KO’d by Sven Ottke in the 10th round of their IBF super-middleweight world title fight in Germany.

Mundine had just been floored by a huge right hand from his German opponent, sending him crashing to the canvas, unconscious.

The Aussie fighter was out cold as he lay flat on his back, with the image becoming ammo for Mundine’s haters for years afterwards.

At first look it appears as though Mundine had just been handed a savage beating, but there’s more to the story than that.

In a recent article for The Players Voice, Mundine revealed how Ottke regarded the fight as the toughest of his decorated career.

“Sven Ottke gave an interview to ‘The Ring earlier’ this year. They asked Ottke to name the toughest fight of his career. He said it was the one against me. He said I was the fastest, smartest, most skilful fighter he ever came up against with the best footwork, the best jab and the best defence,” Mundine wrote.

“I was still playing for the Dragons the year before we fought!

“Ottke had more successful title defences than I’d had fights – professional and amateur combined – when we met.

“Looking back, I was out of mind taking that fight at the time I did. And I didn’t make it any easier for myself once I got to Germany. I didn’t do any sparring over there beforehand. Nothing. I was stubborn. No sparring, no road runs.

“I had these new training methods and I was determined to see them through. I guess I learned the hard way.”

And it turns out ‘The Man’ isn’t lying.

The Ring’s story, titled ‘The Best I Faced’, backs up Mundine’s claims.

“He was giving me the hardest time in the ring … He was much better than we thought,” Ottke said.

“He was a very smart boxer. It was like a chess match when we fought. It was close until the last punch.

“Mundine had great tactics; he was very fluid. He had a strong mind and a good fighting attitude.

“It was my toughest fight in my whole career, until the knockout.”

It was only Mundine’s 11th fight after his switch from rugby league, but he was actually winning the fight against his seasoned opponent, something that clearly gets forgotten.