Source : ABC NEWS
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name of a person who has died.
Australian boxer Tony Mundine has died aged 75.
One of the country’s most accomplished Indigenous fighters, Mundine was the only Australian boxer to compete professionally in four weight divisions.
He held the Australian titles at middleweight, light-heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight.
His death was confirmed by his son, former world champion boxer Anthony Mundine.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m broken,” Anthony Mundine wrote on Instagram.
“Dad I love you man, may Allah bless your soul,” he wrote.
“I’m on my way home to say goodbye one last time till we meet again.
“Thanks for doing all you did for me and supporting me in every moment, showing love and strength, gonna miss you Tonza, there’s only one Tony Mundine.”
Tony’s son, Anthony (left) has led tributes to his late father. (Getty Images: Allsport/RobertLaberge)
Tony Mundine was born in Baryulgil, New South Wales, where he took part in a number of tent boxing shows as a teenager.
His career peaked with a world title challenge in October 1974 against Argentina’s Carlos Monzon.
Despite losing via a seventh-round knockout, Tony Mundine said he had fulfilled a childhood dream.
“I was just a little chocolate boy from Baryulgil, and here I was travelling the world, you know,” he said.
Tributes from the boxing world flowed in for Mundine after the news of his death.
Former Australian professional boxer Danny Green paid tribute to Mundine, saying he was a “gentleman I had a tonne of respect for.”
“Grew up watching him on TV ringside. Drew a great deal of inspiration from watching him, one of my late father’s favourite fighters,” Green wrote.
Australian professional boxer Billy Dib said Mundine was “widely recognised as one of Australia’s greatest fighters”.
“Uncle Tony was a beautiful human being and a genuinely good man who always showed me love and respect.”
Mundine retired from professional boxing in 1984.
He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1986 for his services to sport and Aboriginal youth.
He is survived by his son Anthony, his grandson — professional boxer Rahim Mundine — and his cousin — businessman and Indigenous rights advocate Warren Mundine.
ABC
