How Holger gets the Socceroos out of the hole

Holger Osieck goes into Tuesday night’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Japan, needing a result, not only for the Socceroos ailing World Cup campaign, but with talk around in the press this week that his future may hang in the balance, it will be an important 90 minutes in Saitama.

Holger had had his critics, but he is not helped largely by the players at his disposal. The Socceroos are an ageing list that was one of the oldest at the last World Cup. Four years on and many of those names from 2010 remain, coupled with a younger generation whose development has been hindered by poor career moves, which have stalled their development.

Holger goes into the three biggest games of his tenure plagued with problems; let’s get into some of them.

Formation

Whilst Pim Verbeek wasn’t exactly popular with everyone in his time as Socceroos manager, he is fastly gaining more and more respect, given how easily in retrospect the Socceroos qualified for the last World Cup.

Whilst the style of football he played was well known for being largely unattractive, it did manage results.

It wasn’t the most attacking style and didn’t conjure tons of goals, but his “anchor” system ensured the Socceroos not only held their shape but were hard to break down.

Verbeek’s use of two midfield screeners was effective, and I would like to see Holger adopt the same approach, especially if he is going to go in with a central pairing of Lucas Neill and Sasa Ognenovski.

The Socceroos have had a tendency to be caught on the break in this campaign due to a lack of pace in our back four and the adoption of this formation will provide more cover for this. We have to remember we are playing tournament football and it is all about results at this point.  

The use of Brett Holman -

The Socceroos can no longer afford to continue playing Brett Holman out of position. Holman is generally being used as a wide player, at times on the left, given the preference to play Tim Cahill in his more natural No.10 role. Sure Cahill is the first name on the Socceroo team sheet but I feel Holman’s performances in recent times should see him claim that position. Cahill will still have a role to play, and that is leading the line.

The Socceroos are currently bereft of a quality striker and although Alex Brosque and Archie Thompson have been used by Oseick as a foil for Cahill, I feel a Cahill-Holman pairing could work.

There is no one else in the Socceroo line-up that can guarantee goals like Cahill and he will make it hard on any defence playing on the last man. I don’t feel the Socceroos will lose any of his potency in making the shift, and if anything the move may even prove to prolong his career, as Holman becomes the terrier chasing down everything, when playing in between the lines.

We all know Cahill’s aerial prowess and he has the ability to hold the ball up well. The move is more designed though to accommodate both better in the same team. It is worthless playing Holman wide as he is simply not a natural wide player and has a tendency to drift centrally, which causes the side to lose its shape.

There is no question both need to be in the side, but Holman is not the answer out wide. I would much prefer Holger turn to Tommy Oar or Matt McKay, who can cause damage in wide areas.

The Age Old Question –

Holger has faced criticism in recent weeks for turning to the older players for the final three matches of this campaign.

But this is certainly no time for risks and of course he is going to go with what’s proven.

Whilst I have long been a critic of Lucas Neill and his lack of speed, no one has really stood up and done the job in his absence and his partnership with Sasa Ognenovski has been relatively solid.

 I would be pushing for the inclusion of Mark Milligan, who always seems to lift when pulling on the Socceroo jersey, and can be deployed in either a holding midfield or further defensive role.

Holger’s job security relies on results and this is not the time to roll the dice. Sure I would have loved to have seen more youth involved in the last four years, but you get the sense that Holger just doesn’t think the younger players are up to it.

You have to agree that the next generation aren’t exactly doing themselves any favours. Most have made silly career moves which have hindered their development as they make moves to Europe that has seen them confined to the reserves team or the bench. Instead of playing each week in the A-League, many have decided to chase the riches on offer in Europe, which frankly across the board have not transpired.

Matthew Leckie and Mustafa Amini are two examples, who were in the frame for selection before their moves overseas, only for both to slip off the radar in recent times. James Holland is another who has slipped well back following years wasted in the reserves in the Netherlands, but is starting to get his act together in recent times playing regularly in Austria, where his side won the league.

 Dario Vidosic is another who showed so much promise, and finds himself back in the A-League, whilst names like Matthew Spiranovic, Nathan Burns, Nikita Rukavysta, and others have simply failed to kick on.

Tommy Oar, Tom Rogic and Robbie Kruse are perhaps the exception, but even Rogic has been a bit part player since moving to Celtic, which may prevent Holger from using him here.  I expect him to feature more regularly next season.

Players on the pine –

Holger Osieck looks at his squad and finds many players who are not playing regularly for their clubs.

Brett Holman has been seeing very limited game time at Aston Villa, whilst Captain Lucas Neill doesn’t have a club. Some of the A-League players haven’t played a competitive game for months and many others are bit part players at best.  

Harry Kewell –

One thing Holger has done right in recent weeks is not include Harry Kewell in the squad for these qualifiers. If Harry believes three games in the space of twelve months gives him any hope of playing some part in these qualifiers then he is sadly mistaken. Gone are the days when Kewell’s name found its way into the side simply on reputation.

Kewell has been on a steady decline since his move to Galatasaray and although he showed glimpses in his time in the A-League with Melbourne Victory, his form was underwhelming.

Whilst admirably Kewell had to make the move back to England to care for his wife’s mother, I find it hard to believe that he was unable to secure a club for the past twelve months. Now sure, Kewell may not quite have the ability to go with the best in the English Premier League anymore, but I feel he would have proven a handy signing for a club in the English Championship or League One.

Edgar Davids is still trotting around in League Two with Barnet, so I’m confident he could have found a place at some club, however reports of Kewell not being able to agree on wage demands and not wanting to drop down to the English Championship, prove either Kewell has been seriously misadvised or his ego is again getting in the way.

If Kewell really did want to play a part in the next World Cup then he would have found a way. Spending 12 months out of the game isn’t exactly going to help your fitness, sharpness or attractiveness at transfer time now is it.

Whilst Kewell seems to have come around and decided to join the Melbourne Heart for next A-League season, at minimal wage, you have to ask the question what was stopping Kewell from making a similar move at the back end of last season, like Lucas Neill.

I’m not prepared to say Kewell has no place in the Socceroos squad, all I’m saying is he must earn it. If he can recapture the form he showed at the last Asian Cup, then he should be considered, but until then he needs to prove to everyone he is worthy.

 Japan

Japan is one of the most improved sides in world football and I have them as genuine dark horses for the World Cup. Now, a long shot at lifting the trophy, they will certainly be in the mix come quarter finals stage for mine. They are the stand out team in Asia at the moment and have had some big wins over some of the World best in the last twelve months.

Whilst Australia are looking for three points in Saitama, I would happily take one, which sets the Socceroos up for two must win games against Jordan and Iraq in Australia, and really if you cannot beat either then you do not deserve to go to the World Cup.

SANTAROSSA’s SOCCEROOS (if all available) – Schwarzer, Wilshere, Neill, Sasa, McKay, Oar, Valeri, Jedinak, Kruse, Holman, Cahill

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Follow Adam on Twitter - @adamsantarossa

Mayweather-Alvarez: Boxing finally shows some sense, proving it's not all about money

 

 

Floyd Mayweather announced to the world today, via Instagram, that he would give boxing fans what they wanted and he would take on Saul Alvarez on September 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

You have to commend Mayweather, as he has taken the most dangerous fighter possible and the man who many feel will eventually take over his crown, as the king of boxing, once “Money” Mayweather decides to hang up the gloves.

But you have to wonder if the decision to take on Alvarez has come too quickly, and if the young star is indeed ready.

Alvarez has certainly done the rounds, that’s no question.

 He is 22 years old, yet has a record of 42-0, which is what happens when you turn professional at the age of 14. Mayweather is 36 and is 44-0.

But Canelo only really has two notable names on his record, Shane Mosley and Austin Trout.  Sure Carlos Baldomir and Lovemore Ndou have been vanquished also, but in my opinion the record still lacks a few more big scalps.

Mayweather has Robert Guerrero, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Zab Judah, etc.

The Mayweather-Alvarez fight is still going to make money and do big business for all involved, but with some patience the fight could have been even bigger.

Alvarez is obviously a star in the world of boxing, but I don’t know how prominent he has become on the radar of casual sports fans. With the boxing world swept up in the whole Mayweather-Pacquiao saga for the last five years, the deeds of the likes of Alvarez have gone unnoticed on the grander scale.  Another couple of notable names on the record of Alvarez and another couple of tidy defences for Mayweather and suddenly the fight is worth that little bit more.

From a business perspective too, it’s strange to see this fight happen now. Mayweather still has five fights remaining on his mega deal with Showtime, and given he has dispatched nearly every credible challenger, who looms on his radar if he does get past Alvarez?

Sure there’s still the Pacquiao fight, but there’s no doubt the question of “who’s better” has already been answered given their recent performances. Juan Manuel Marquez was soundly beaten by Mayweather a few years ago, and Tim Bradley still has things to prove at the elite level.

I thought Mayweather-Alvarez would be one of the final fights in the Showtime deal, that way in a perfect world, assuming Mayweather defeats Alvarez, Mayweather could roll into the sunset having defeated anyone and everyone, whilst Alvarez is showcased to the world, in what would be by that time, a “superfight”, and would become a symbolic passing of the torch, with Alvarez assuming the pound for pound mantle from Mayweather, even in defeat.

But now if Alvarez does fall to Mayweather on September 14, Mayweather will then have to fill three fights, already having beaten the strongest challenger there is out there. Whilst Alvarez comes away from the fight with his marketability dented as well, which for promoters is a loss-loss.

As a boxing fan though, I’m more than happy to see these two go toe-to-toe, with the most dangerous fighter on the planet going up against, simply the best fighter on the planet. Alvarez’s aggression and fast hands, against Mayweather’s defensive gifts and silky skills, is mouth-watering.    

Full credit must be given to Mayweather again for taking the fight at Junior Middleweight. Mayweather was on the record following his defeat of Miguel Cotto that he did not feel entirely comfortable at the weight, preferring to campaign at Welterweight. He felt Cotto was stronger and better suited, and there is no question that that advantage will go to Alvarez in this fight.

Alvarez was impressive in getting past the previously undefeated Austin Trout, who also is a “big” junior middleweight. Mayweather could have dug his heels in and made Alvarez drop to the welterweight limit, or indeed set an agreed weight, but Mayweather is ensuring that there are no reasons for his detractors to criticise.

The perfect scenario for Alvarez and his promoters, Golden Boy is of course an Alvarez win, but as good as he is, I still think at 22, he is still some fights short of being able to beat Mayweather.

Neither fighter has really been in a war, or had that single fight on their resume that defines them. Ali, Frazier, Duran, Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, all have a fight you can point to and say it is what made them great.

This could well be the fight that they point too when they discuss the names Mayweather and Alvarez in years to come.

Having seen boxing languish behind promoters marketing fighters and creating “the story”, in order to generate the most revenue from fights, it’s refreshing to see this fight being made.

Future box office earnings may take a hit, but both have come back to what the whole sport is entirely about. Two fighters lacing them up, to find out who is the best.

The two best fighters on the planet will stand in the ring and go toe-to-toe on September 14, with the world watching.

I can’t wait...and that’s how boxing should be.

Adam Santarossa

Follow Adam on Twitter at - @adamsantarossa

Mayweather v Guerrero Preview - "It's May Day for Guerrero"

 

 

Most men who leave jail worry where their next pay cheque will come from, but Floyd “Money” Mayweather is not like most men.

Mayweather walked from a two month spell in prison into a $100 million dollar four fight deal with Showtime, which makes him the highest paid athlete in sports.

The 36-year-old plans for four fights in 30 months before walking off into the sunset to a life of promoting, music producing and whatever else he desires.

But as his long time adversary and once rival for the pound for pound title, Manny Pacquiao knows even the most bulletproof of plans can come unstuck in the world of Boxing.

Cotto, Ortiz, Mosley, Marquez, Hatton and De La Hoya all said they were the fighters who would end the run of Floyd “Money” Mayweather, yet he remains unstopped at 43-0, with Robert Guerrero the latest in line to stop the fastest hands, and mouth in the business.

Guerrero is a five-time World Champion across four weight divisions and has some handy names on his resume. Australia’s own Michael Katsidis, Vicente Escobedo, Joel Casamayor and Andre Berto the biggest, but it will still be a herculean effort to stop Mayweather.

But Guerrero only needs to look at Tim Bradley for evidence that it can be done. Bradley defeated Manny Pacquiao although controversially last year, when everyone thought a Pacquiao win was fait accompli.

Guerrero can bang that’s no question, but laying a glove on Mayweather is another thing all together. The best defensive fighter we’ve seen for a long time, Mayweather may not often leave opponents on their back, but has bludgeoned some of the biggest names of the sport with wide point’s victories. Leaving many wishing he had put them out of their misery far early with a knockout.

Whilst there was clear evidence of Pacquiao slowing in his recent fights with Juan Manuel Marquez, there is no real suggestion that father time is catching up with Mayweather. His jail term doesn’t seem to have had any real impact on his physical health and despite Mayweather admitting he did receive an unnecessary amount of punishment in his last fight against Miguel Cotto, there is reason for this. Cotto is a future hall of famer and was much more accustomed to the Junior Middleweight Weight Limit they fought at.

Guerrero meets Mayweather at Welterweight, where Floyd has done his best work and seems most comfortable. Guerrero has also bounced around the weight divisions, fighting as a lightweight as recently as September 2011. A fighter with a heavy punch and clear knockout power at the lighter weights, that power seems to have been negated through his rise up the weight classes, with Guerrero not possessing a knockout in his last five fights or at all at Welterweight.

Being a Southpaw, Guerrero will come at Mayweather with angles he is not all too familiar having only fought a handful of lefties in his career,  but if Mayweather uses his hand speed and silky skills and fights at a distance, I see no reason it won’t be another victory for Floyd.

Boxing needs a Mayweather victory, now more than ever the sport needs a marquee name on everyone’s lips. A quarter million people will be in town for this fight and it will generate over $100 million dollars in revenue to the city of Las Vegas, and they are all to see one man.

Mayweather will earn $32 million dollars just for lacing up the gloves, and even more money when his slice of the Pay Per View revenue is calculated. Guerrero will earn $3 million, a career high.

With this fight being fight one of a four fight deal, potential opponents are being sought as marquee names continue to drift of the boxing map.

Pacquaio,Cotto, Mosley, Hatton, Margarito, etc are no longer as marketable and the likes of Alvarez, Trout and Bradley don’t yet feel ready to take over Mayweather’s mantle. 

A potential fight with Pacquaio has been hurt given the Pilipino fighter losing his last two fights ( should have been three), and although the fight would still do good business, it would pale in comparison to what it might have been. Looking at it from a Risk v Reward scheme of things, if Mayweather was tentative to take the fight previously when figures of $100 million were offered, both fighters would stand to earn far less if the fight was made now.

Boxing seems to be building to an eventual Floyd Mayweather v Saul Alvarez super fight, but with Alvarez still only 22 and is still yet to have a real “Marquee” name on his kill list, despite looking impressive recently against Austin Trout. Golden Boy Promotions and Boxing may not want to burn their future star before he is ready.

If anything I see a Mayweather v Alvarez fight as the final fight of the four fight deal, but questions remain as to who Mayweather will step in the ring with if he defeats Guerrero.

Tim Bradley, Austin Trout, Juan Manuel Marquez, Amir Khan all should keep the money rolling in and remain credible opponents, but can any really trump Mayweather.

Robert Guerrero stands in the perfect position to send all future plans down the drain with an upset win on Sunday, and stop the search for Boxing’s next superstar, but in a city where the house always wins, sometimes you’re on a hiding to nothing.

Prediction – Mayweather by decision

Follow Adam on Twitter - @adamsantarossa

 



EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dib on the rise despite defeat




 



Billy Dib returned to Australia light on luggage having lost his world title, and a pint or two short of blood following the ten staples that were needed for a cut to the back of his head along with the fourteen stitches that were needed to seal the wound above his right eye.

I spoke with the former IBF Featherweight World Champion in an exclusive interview just days after his defeat and Dib says it’s only physical wounds he carries after his split decision point’s defeat to Evgeny Gradovich.

“The wounds that are healing are the actual wounds that I suffered in the fight. I suffered a few cuts on the eye and two cuts on the head that I’m recovering from. But other than that everything is good. My health is good and in due time I’ll be back in the ring getting ready for the next one.  

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose a fight and especially to lose in that fight. That was heartbreaking because as you know from the scorecards if the referee doesn’t take a point away from me, I keep my title. But in saying that it was a cracking fight, it did a lot for my credibility in the sport because people didn’t expect to see that type of fight from me. To go out and put that type of a fight on sort of changed people’s perception of me.

“50 cent has an agreement with Top Rank that provided that we gave the guy an opportunity that they will sign an agreement to do the re-match, so there is a re-match clause in place”.

Were you surprised at all with what Gradovich showed?

“No surprises at all, I expected that sort of a fight and when people say Gradovich took the fight on short notice they have to understand that we both took the fight the same notice.  At the end of the day I had to prepare for him and he had to prepare for me, and we both had the same time to prepare.

“When people say he took the fight on short notice that’s not true because I was preparing for one style and then the fight fell through. Let’s be completely honest here, I went from preparing for Munoz to preparing for Luis Franco to preparing for Gradovich, so it wasn’t a smooth sailing sort of a camp. I mean I was working hard but with the chopping and changing of styles it made it very difficult.

“I had the same amount of time as Gradovich had to prepare for the fight so I thought it was on an even playing field. He didn’t show me anything that I didn’t think he was going to show me. I knew he was going to show a heart of a lion, which he did. I knew he was going to fight hard, which he did and I knew he was going to come forward, which he did. So he gave me everything that I thought he was going to give me.”

I know you’ve been keen to get back to the United States and entertain and really show people what you can do. Did you go in with a pre-conceived style of fight or did it just evolve during the fight?

“I think the past has sort of haunted me you know. I went from being a guy that couldn’t get on TV in America to getting on TV as the main event and now basically with the fight that I’ve put in we’ve got guys like Ken Hershman and that giving 50 cent a call saying “We’re interested in putting Billy back on HBO”. So I’ve managed to turn it around, despite that way I fought I did leave the states with an “L”, but I think I left with my career in tact in terms of getting myself back on the big stage.  So in the words of 50 cent – “Value wise, my value has gone up not down.”

“His exact words were the title means more to me than to him. Because if I can go out and put performances just like that on then I can definitely bring the money in.”

I know following the Luevano fight there were a lot of people critical of you. I know you did lose the title and there are not that many positives that come out of a defeat, but you can take away an increased fan base and maybe you’ve even answered a few critics?

“The fight was a catapult, but in saying that I did lose the title. But you have to remember something, the title is only ever one fight away because I’m still rated highly and I have a rematch clause in place.  If I want the rematch to be my next fight well then it’s possible that it could be my next fight.

“I went out and I made people who weren’t believers into believers and if you can make Dan Rafael a believer then you’re doing well. I spoke to Dan Rafael and he told me “You impressed me” and “You showed me things that I didn’t think you had.

“So, not that I’m proud that I’ve lost my title, but I’m proud that I’ve been in a fight of that magnitude as the main event on ESPN and put on the best performance for the ESPN audience.”

What did 50cent say to you following the fight?

“His exact words when he got in the ring were – “You did more for your career in this fight then you’ve ever done”. He said you’ve done nothing to hurt yourself.  He said keep your chin up and you’ve got a rematch in place so we’re just going to go back to the drawing board and work hard.

“Adam, with a guy like 50 cent behind me and the team members that we have in Gamboa and co anything is possible, titles could open up anywhere. You might even see me moving up in weight and challenging for another title who knows. The IBF has been good to me and I’m aligned with them at the moment but I’m just looking forward to getting back in the ring and evening up the score with Gradovich.”

What about your trainer Billy Hussein? What did he have to say after the fight?

“He’s proud of me that I put it on the line, but we had a game plan and I kind of went away from the game plan. What people don’t understand is that certain things happened in that fight and I wasn’t able to respond to Billy Hussein. I wasn’t really responsive because I was dealing with certain things that were happening to me during the fight. But I’m not one for making excuses; everything that happens to me in the fight is god’s will anyway. Nothing is possible in life without god’s will.

“Everything in life happens for a reason. After I suffered the elbow to the back of the head and the back of my head split open, I really don’t remember much of the fight since. I was sort of fighting a little bit on instinct. I suffered a ruptured left eardrum that I fought through, so I was trying to fight through adversity.

“So to come away from the fight with a split decision loss and considering I could have kept the title had the referee not taken that point away shows me that even at my worst I was so close. “

But we both left a great fight and I congratulate Gradovich on a wicked fight. But it takes two to tango and we were both able to put on a fantastic show for ESPN and from what we’re hearing and from what 50 cent has told me it’s an early candidate for fight of the year.

I know it’s only early days but is there any indication when the rematch with Gradovich may happen?

“Like 50 cent said we can make it happen in the next fight if we want, it’s totally up to us. But I think what 50 wants to do is get Gradovich and I back on the same card together, obviously with him defending his title and me fighting in a 10 round bout, just to juice up the fight a little bit more and build it up and then go at it again.”

“I’ve got the hunger, I’ve always been hungry particularly going into this fight, I certainly didn’t underestimate Gradovich or anything I badly wanted to win and now in losing the fight the master plan kicks into gear to go and get the title back, so that’s what it’s all about now.

If you had the fight over again, how would you fight it? Would you fight it the same way?

If I had the fight over again I’d fight him the same way I fought him over the first four rounds. But after suffering that elbow to the back of the head, basically I thought I was fighting on instinct from that point. Basically I think I’d box a bit more smarter.”

Dib travelled a rocky road in his attempt to return to the bright lights of the USA following the defeat to Luevano, amid the criticism that came his way following the fight.

The fight with Gradovich was meant to be his coming out party, with new promoter 50cent in his corner.

However with defeat, Dib now finds himself on a familiar path attempting to travel the road back to World Title glory.

But once again, Dib has a message for the people who choose to write him off like they did the last time.

“Jeff Harding is the only Australian to lose a World Title and win it back, and I look forward to following in the footsteps of the great Jeff Harding.”

Adam Santarossa

Follow Adam Santarossa on Twitter - @adamsantarossa

 

 



Geale's the man as he proves too good for Mundine

 

 

The world is Daniel Geale’s oyster after he made amends for the only defeat of his career retaining his IBF Middleweight World Title over Anthony Mundine via unanimous decision (117-111,117-111,116-112).

Geale was simply too good for Mundine throughout the fight, as he dictated terms, using his angles to great effect and showcased the improvement that has taken him to two world titles since the pair last fought in 2009.

Mundine looked very much one dimensional throughout and relied on his ever present jab, but simply didn’t mix it up enough to trouble Geale, as the champion’s superior work rate saw him rack up the rounds.

 Geale looked unfazed by anything Mundine threw his direction and he was confident enough to continually push forward and close the range.

Mundine looked content to fight off the back foot and remain the counter puncher, but Geale’s hand speed and footwork meant he was out of harm’s way before Mundine had a chance to score any punches of his own.

There were flashes from Mundine throughout the fight and he did score nicely with his right hand on occasions but he simply did not do enough to prevent Geale from constantly coming forward and pushing the pace of the fight.

Mundine lacked urgency and seemed prepared to go the distance rather than take risks and try and win the fight by knockout.

Geale looked battle ready on the back on consecutive World title fights against Sebatien Sylvester and Felix Sturm, whilst Mundine looked a tad at sea having to make the jump up in level from his recent competition.

Whilst some will sound the final siren on Mundine’s career, it is hard to determine whether Mundine has declined considerably or if Geale was simply far too good.

I expect Mundine to have one last fight, which will be with old nemesis Danny Green mid 2013. There is simply too much interest and money in that fight for it not too happen. It’s the very reason that Green continues to keep active. Despite their difference in weight divisions I expect a happy medium to be found and the fighters to meet at a catch weight somewhere between Super Middleweight and the Light-Heavyweight limit, given Green fights closer to the Light-Heavyweight mark despite being a Cruiserweight World Champion.

For Geale, there are some super fights in his future. I expect him to meet WBA Middleweight Champion, Gennady Golovkin to unify both the WBA and IBF Middleweight Titles once more, whilst there is also the option of fighting the winner of Felix Sturm and Sam Soliman, who will become his IBF Mandatory challenger.

A win over Golovkin could open the door to the best middleweight on the planet, Sergio Martinez, who is expected to rematch Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr, after their first fight ended in a thrilling first round despite being completely one sided for the preceding eleven rounds.

Overall it was a great night for Australian Boxing and the profile of Daniel Geale will have lifted significantly now. It’s onwards and upwards for Australia’s newest boxing sensation and we now eagerly await the next step, which is surely up!

 

Follow Adam on Twitter - @adamsantarossa

GEALE-MUNDINE 2 : THE PREDICTION

 

It’s the question I have been asked numerous times in the lead up to this fight- Who will win?

It’s the biggest fight this country has seen since Anthony Mundine and Danny Green went toe to toe in 2006, and this time it is for a legitimate World Title, with serious money and career opportunities awaiting the winner.

Money spinning fights with Gennady Golovkin, Felix Sturm, Julio Cesar Chavez or Sergio Martinez could await whoever gets their hand raised on Wednesday night.

Daniel Geale comes into the fight in some serious form having not lost since his defeat to Mundine in 2009. His most recent fight was a World Title unification fight in Germany against Felix Sturm, which came on the back of big wins over Sebastien Sylvester and Roman Karmazin.

Anthony Mundine has had mixed fortunes since he beat Geale in 2009. He has been knocked out by The Contender Australia winner, Garth Wood, had an impressive win over former World Champion, Rigoberto Alvarez and his most recent fight was a win over journeyman Bronco “Superman” McKart.

If we were picking racehorses, it would be simple. But tipping winners in Boxing isn’t so easy.

Not when things like heart, willpower, hunger and desire are involved.

The burning question going into this fight is whether or not Anthony “The Man” Mundine still possesses all of those qualities, because if he does- he is a dangerous fighter.

This fight is a fight that Mundine probably doesn’t deserve, given he has largely been granted this fight on his profile and marketability.

But even behind the talk and bravado, Mundine must recognise this is his last opportunity to win a World Title and remain relevant on the big stage.

It is this very fact that no one should right off Mundine.

He simply must win.

Mundine has often talked about struggling to get up for fights against lesser known opponents.

He should have no problem getting up for this one then.

Mundine has also finally settled at a weight having dived between Super Middleweight- Middleweight and Junior Middleweight in recent years. Sure there is not a lot of difference between these divisions but it does take its toll on a thirty seven year old fighter.

Mundine is feeling fresh and is injury free, having had surgery to fix his problem hips, which despite the complaint still having to be managed, Mundine himself has said he feels less restricted in the ring.

Mundine is looking fit and from all accounts has gained some of the power that he displayed early on in his career, with his speed and sharpness also evident.

But he will need all of that to go with Daniel Geale.

Whilst Geale doesn’t necessarily have a lot of pop in his punches, they just don’t stop coming.

The reason he won the fight against Sturm was through the volume of punches thrown from bell to bell, round to round. When the bell sounded to end each round Geale was still throwing, and he simply wore Sturm down in his own backyard.

Geale is a fighter that is both smarter and more confident than the one who lost his IBO Middleweight World Title back to Mundine in 2009.

He is patient and waits for his opportunities, unlike when he was dropped by Mundine last time when he hastily rushed forward early in the fight.

Geale used his angles well and has tightened his defence, which means Mundine will have to bring more to the table than the lightning jab, which has become Mundine’s only real weapon in recent years.

Geale has been in with the cream of the Middleweight division in recent times and is battled hardened with hard-fought twelve round slugfests in the bank.

If the fight is going to the later rounds, you’d be banking on Geale.

But Mundine’s best performances have been on the biggest occasions in his career.

Fights against Danny Green and Antwon Echols are case in point.

Always the showman, will Mundine rise to the occasion again?

Geale may have had the deer in the headlights look in 2009, but this time around Geale has become a seasoned campaigner having had a 2012 to rival some of the biggest names in boxing.

So who is it then?

Well, as much as I like picking roughies and then telling you all “I told you so” (*Juan Manuel Marquez), I can’t go past Daniel Geale.

His performance against Sturm was simply all about willpower and a determination to not give in to defeat.

I do not know that after all his fights, and particularly the calibre of fighters Mundine has been in the ring with in recent times, that Mundine can go with Geale when the going gets tough.

Mundine is a very, very dangerous fighter come Wednesday night, but at this point in time in their careers I feel Geale is the better one.

PREDICTION – Geale by points decision

 

Follow Adam on Twitter - @adamsantarossa

 



It's time for Mundine to let his actions speak loudest

 

 At the end of the day action speaks louder than words and in the career of Anthony “The Man” Mundine, sadly the words have always outweighed the action.

Talk is cheap in all areas except the fight game, where it has some importance.

It can sell fights and it can get you fights, but ultimately it’s your actions in the ring that decide whether you get another one.

There’s an argument that talk is exactly what has got Anthony Mundine this fight, and having seen the build-up it’s probably the reason you and I will hand over our $50 to watch it.

But behind all the talk and bravado, Mundine’s legacy is simply one of unfulfilled potential.

He has spent the last twelve months calling out the biggest names in the sport – Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

Yet his only true pathway to getting to the big names was his option to face interim WBA Junior Middleweight champion, Austin Trout with Mundine being the mandatory challenger to Trout’s title.

Mundine turned the fight down.

Trout went onto fight WBA Super Junior Middleweight Champion Miguel Cotto and beat him, which has him now in line to face the upper echelon of the boxing world.

See what I said about action speaking louder than words.

In saying all that, Mundine has compiled a legacy that doesn’t necessarily get the recognition it deserves.

He walked away from the NRL in his prime to take up the hardest professional sport there was.

He has no Amateur experience, despite having a handy boxer in his father.

The man he will stand opposite of on Wednesday night had an Amateur career that included a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal and an Olympics.

Mundine took on a boxing legend in Sven Ottke in his 11^th Professional Fight, and although we all know how it ended, anyone who watched the fight knows he was more than mixing it with the German for the most part.

He is a three- time World Champion and there is no denying he has rejuvenated the sport in Australia in the last thirteen years, yet is consistently voted one of the most hated sportspeople in the country.

He is loved by some, disliked by many, and I know I don’t have to outlay the reasons why.

His career could have been anything. He had a lightning jab, great power and the profile and showmanship to match the big names. But he just never took the shot.

He made $700,000 in his first fight, figure fighters of lesser profile struggle to make in World Title fights. A figure Daniel Geale has only just managed to attain in the last two years, and Mundine is the only fighter to have had all his fights broadcast on pay per view.

Since Mundine and Geale fought last in 2009 their resumes have taken vastly different courses.

Mundine – Falliga (17-5), Medley (27-2), Jerez (30-12), Waters (20-2), Wood (10-2), Toliver (23-6), Alvarez (26-3) and McKart (53-9)

Geale – Barbosa (22-5), Kariuki (21-8), Karmazin (40-3), Sylvester (34-3), Albert (24-4), Adama (20-2), Sturm (37-2)

Only one of Mundine’s last eight opponents have been rated in the Top 10 in any organisation, despite him calling for the top fighters on the planet.

Geale on the other hand has won both the WBA and IBF Middleweight World Titles, and fought in four World Title fights.

Does Mundine want to win a World Title and a shot at fulfilling his potential or does he simply want another tidy payday and the limelight, perhaps one final time.

A victory for Mundine and the IBF Middleweight title is a hell of a bargaining chip to entice a big name in the ring.

There is even talk the winner will be granted a unification fight with Gennady Golovkin, the now WBA Middleweight Champion, after Geale was stripped of the title for taking the Mundine fight.

A defeat and the glimmer of light that remains in Mundine’s career will surely fade, and I expect Mundine to have a final money spinning fight against Danny Green later this year, before stepping away.

In Boxing, talk may line your pockets with gold, but it doesn’t put any around your waist.

Mundine will have to earn that through his actions in the ring on Wednesday night.

Follow Adam on Twitter - @adamsantarossa