Mundine not weighing into war of words

By Mike Gandon
Updated November 5 2012 - 7:46pm, first published February 10 2009 - 9:59am
Anthony Mundine weighs in yesterday ahead of tonight's much anticipated battle at the WEC. Pictures: ORLANDO CHIODO
Anthony Mundine weighs in yesterday ahead of tonight's much anticipated battle at the WEC. Pictures: ORLANDO CHIODO
Shannan ''The Bulli Blaster'' Taylor just made the weight limit for the middleweight stoush.
Shannan ''The Bulli Blaster'' Taylor just made the weight limit for the middleweight stoush.

Anthony Mundine and Shannan Taylor were quite civil towards each other when they met for the high noon weigh-in yesterday for their World Boxing Association international middleweight contest at WIN Entertainment Centre tonight.Both boxers said they respect each other, swapping verbal quips when Mundine eventually arrived about 15 minutes late. A touchy Taylor was anything but respectful at that time, bristling as "The Man" kept him waiting."If he's not here I'm going back to my room," Taylor muttered."It's Wollongong time. If he can't make it, bad luck."In three minutes, I'm on the scales. It's rude. He's supposed to be here."I've got weight problems too, I just don't talk about them"With that, Taylor stripped to his underpants and stepped on the scales.Mundine's manager Khoder Nasser pointed out that he had to wait a bit longer, that "The Man" wasn't far away."I'll give respect to Tony (Mundine's father and trainer)," Taylor said.Mundine waltzed in about 12.14pm pronouncing, "The best, the best, I'm the best ... the best middleweight in the world."He then stripped to his undies and stepped on the scales.While at 72.55kg Taylor just made the weight, Mundine was still a bit over the 72.57kg limit.But he later made it, tipping the scales at 72.35kg, making himself eligible for the vacant WBA international title which will decide the No 1 contender for German Felix Sturm's world title.Both boxers then eyeballed each other before sitting down for their final media conference before the fight.Even though Mundine said he wasn't interested in titles, he believes he will become the undisputed best middleweight in the world, starting with a win over Taylor. "I'll do what needs to be done to win," Mundine said."I'm the best.""You reckon?" Taylor chipped in.Taylor was enjoying the media conference as was Mundine."It's going to be a good fight. We'll turn it on tomorrow," Taylor said."We train hard. People don't realise what we do."This is what it's all about. It's a show."Tomorrow night when the bell rings, may the best man win and I believe it's going to be me."Mundine agreed up to a point, except he naturally believes the result will be different."Tomorrow night we'll put on a show for everybody to see and witness the next era in the middleweight world of boxing. I want to be the next star. I want to be the next king."Taylor could not resist a reply, "I'm gonna be the first Australian to knock Mundine right out.""The Man" had a different story, however."You ain't knocking no-one out boy, you ain't knocking no-one out," he replied."You talked about little old ladies. They love me, as a matter of fact they want me to date them, take them for coffees and everything."That was the calm before the storm. Tonight it's showtime. A fistic, brutal showtime.

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