Ahh Lost - you crack me up.
Agreed - couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. This is where I get hung up : http://thesportingblab.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=170:mundine-is-mundane&catid=53:boxing-stories&Itemid=120 . I don't know enough about boxing to know really be able to critique it, but it rings true to me. What makes me angry about it is that I feel that as Aussies we have some of the best sportsmen and women in the world. I'd love to have a boxer that the media gets behind, who's actually making an impact on the international scene. Not just someone who talks a lot of trash about being world champ, whilst only fighting other people ranked significantly below himself. Someone who's not afraid to go up against someone ranked higher, knowing that you're probably going to lose, and that that's not a bad thing.
That said, I don't mind the trash talk so much - it's part of the psych-up, and it's part of how some people play the game. Look at Ali - he was a master at it. But that's probably what annoys me most of all about "The Man" - someone's told him at some point in the past that Ali used to be able to make really cutting comments about his opponents, and so now he just stammers on about how great he is, and likens himself to the greats of the sports, when he hasn't earned it at all.
I laughed my head off the other night, when Mundine was on the news talking about his gangsta-rivalry with Jeff Fenech, saying how Fenech has never liked him, etc. The only problem was, Fenech was in the press conference, and interrupted, saying "hang on - I've always supported you - I've bet money on you, I've talked you up - I've helped you when you were first getting started in this sport - I've got no idea what you're talking about???". Ahhh - Rule #1 - if you're going to have a feud with someone to help raise your profile, make sure the other person is aware of the fact that you're feuding.
And yes, if I saw him on the street, I'd congratulate him on the fight, offer my commiserations on the outcome, and wish Mr Mundine all the best for next time.
Thanks!
Matto