The exhibition fights continue when champion of yesteryear Anthony Mundine enters the ring opposite kickboxing champion John Wayne Parr at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Saturday night.
Both north of forty and into the twilight of their respective careers, there’s little more than bragging rights on the line when the two fighters meet for ten three-minute rounds at a catchweight of 75kgs.
We were faced with $1.87 when the market opened, but early interest for Parr has seen his quote firm into $1.80. There’s even money about Mundine to win, at publish.
Anthony Mundine
There is absolutely no denying that Anthony Mundine is close to a decade on the wrong side of his best form. His record stands at 57 fights for 48 wins and 9 losses. What is particularly damning about his recent form, however, is that he has lost four of his last six bouts; lasting a little over a minute in his most-recent appearance.
At 44 years of age, there’s no blaming the bloke for trying to squeeze the last few paycheques out of his career, but if his appalling performance against Jeff Horn late last year told us anything, it’s that there is virtually nothing left in the tank.
The key to his success in this fight undoubtedly lies with the fact that he is a boxer. When directly comparing these two fighters, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Mundine’s experience far outweighs Parr’s and this really should be his fight to lose.
John Wayne Parr
John Wayne Parr has achieved virtually everything imaginable during a long and illustrious kickboxing career, but he is also over the hill from a career-best condition perspective and is by no means a ‘sure thing’ to win.
The 43-year-old’s kickboxing record stands at 132 fights for 99 wins, 33 losses. In terms of boxing, however, he has returned ten wins and three losses from his 13 fights.
It’s obviously a different kettle of fish, but he has lost his two most-recent kickboxing bouts, while he has not stepped into a boxing ring competitively since 2003. The key to his success looks likely to be with his notable KO abilities and ending the fight prior to the conclusion of the tenth round.
Mundine vs Parr Tips
Parr is as tough as nails and Mundine has always lacked a knockout punch. I’m confident that this fight will go the distance and if that does occur, Mundine’s experience should prove the difference.
