Mundine KO's Critics

[Mr Manifesto]

This is the story of Anthony Mundine. Aboriginal boxer, ex-rugby league player (as opposed to rugby union or cross-country basketball, I mean, Australian Rules Football).

Mundine was a footy player for St George. Although he had a promising career, he wanted to be a boxer like dear old Dad. His ambition was to be world champion in the fastest time.

The media, specifically the Murdoch tabloids like the Daily Helegraph, said he couldn't fight. My opinion is that it the Murdochs felt slighted by Mundine's preceived snub- it seems like more than coincidence that News Ltd is a major stakeholder of the National Rugby League.

The Murdochs said that Mundine deliberately picked people who couldn't fight for his matches to rack up wins on his record- as if they expected him to take on the world champion with his first fight. As he began to win more and more fights, the Murdochs held to the same theme... He's fighting losers.

Mundine converted to Islam, partly for publicity (in my opinion) styling himself after Muhommed Ali (sorry for the crap spelling). Partly, though, as part of a growing movement in Australia where Indigenous Australians are empowering themselves by converting to Islam, just as the African Americans did in the United States. After the events of September 11, he copped flak for saying that the Americans brought it upon themselves. This comment was given almost no analysis whatsoever (is it possible to countenence that America's violent overseas conduct; and prescence in almost every country in the world might have been a contributing factor?) - at that time it was strictly verboten to suggest that 9/11 was anything other an attack on freedom, democracy and decency.

Mundine's darkest hour was yet to come. In a title bout with Sven Ottke, Mundine was knocked for six.

You can imagine the Murdoch tabloid's response. Mundine, in their opinion, was finished. And serves him right for bad-mouthing the poor Yanks.

Last night Mundine vindicated himself, winning the WBA super middleweight world boxing championship. In the press conference afterwards, he said:

If this doesn't silence people I don't know what will, I mean I could fight King Kong and if I beat him they probably still wouldn't give me any credit. Really, Antwun's the King Kong of the division.

Of course, you're only as good as your last fight. It remains to be seen how long he holds the title for. But if nothing else, this should put a zip on the back-seat boxers' claims that Mundine can't fight.

 

[Ziggurat]

This comment was given almost no analysis whatsoever (is it possible to countenence that America's violent overseas conduct; and prescence in almost every country in the world might have been a contributing factor?) - at that time it was strictly verboten to suggest that 9/11 was anything other an attack on freedom, democracy and decency.

Boy, you're a one-trick pony.

 

[RandFan]

After the events of September 11, he copped flak for saying that the Americans brought it upon themselves. This comment was given almost no analysis whatsoever (is it possible to countenence that America's violent overseas conduct; and prescence in almost every country in the world might have been a contributing factor?) - at that time it was strictly verboten to suggest that 9/11 was anything other an attack on freedom, democracy and decency.

Odd appeal to authority.

Such assinine commentary "Americans brought it upon themselves" is stupid no matter when it is uttered. Good for Mundine that he has won. In a few years he will be punch drunk and drooling. It's unlikely to help though. He will probably still utter nonsense.

Oh well, vive la mundane mundine.

 

[Nie Trink Wasser]

wow.

another beacon of intellgence for anyone converting to Islam to look up to.

 

[KelvinG]

I give Mundine a lot of credit for coming back from his KO loss. A lesser fighter might have faded into obscurity, never to be heard from again.

As for his politics, I try and not let this get in the way when I'm watching a sporting event.

However, it's difficult to expect anyone to sympathize with his post 9/11 remarks. Even if his intentions were to stimulate debate, surely he must have realized how sensitive a time it was after the terrorist attacks, and no one in the US was in the mood to hear "It's your own fault."

 

[Mr Manifesto]

Re: Re: Mundine KO's Critics

Boy, you're a one-trick pony.

The article was mainly about how The Man didn't get a fair go from the Murdoch press, possibly because of vested interests (ie, he snubbed the NRL, Murdoch was a stakeholder in NRL, let's dis anyone who isn't good enough for the NRL). The 9/11 comments constituted one paragraph. As Mundine's comments were a major factor in his career (he was at one stage stripped of his ranking by the World Boxing Council for making the comment. I assume this has since been corrected), I couldn't really ignore the fact that the comment had been made.

But you didn't comment at all on the rest of the article. You only commented on what Mundine said about 9/11. You are the one-trick pony.

 

[Grammatron]

Mundine converted to Islam, partly for publicity (in my opinion) styling himself after Muhommed Ali (sorry for the crap spelling). Partly, though, as part of a growing movement in Australia where Indigenous Australians are empowering themselves by converting to Islam, just as the African Americans did in the United States. After the events of September 11, he copped flak for saying that the Americans brought it upon themselves. This comment was given almost no analysis whatsoever (is it possible to countenence that America's violent overseas conduct; and prescence in almost every country in the world might have been a contributing factor?) - at that time it was strictly verboten to suggest that 9/11 was anything other an attack on freedom, democracy and decency.

I need to ask few things all of which are luckily in this paragraph. How is converting to Islam empowering yourself? If you look at US civil rights movement of the 60's most people who made any real contribution were not Islamic. Aside from Mohamed Ali who is very vocal no matter what religion he would have chosen, there are no prominent followers of Islam. In facts it's widely known how corrupt and racist the "Nation of Islam" (organization that Ali belonged to which consists of African Americans) is.

I can't believe you are repeating Americans brought it upon themselves BS. I just don't get it, why is it ok for every terrorist Islamic organization to target civilians and then say "oh we are just fighting back in a war", you think it's ok. But when US attacks some military target and civilians accidentally die, you are one of the people to scream USA is an evil empire that kills people for no reason.

 

[Zep]

Boxing = BORING !!!

 

[The Fool]

Yea well to be honest I don't usually go to boxers to get information on geo political issues. Would you ask Mike Tyson to comment on economic indicators? Mundines comments on 911 were ambushed out of him by a journalist on a breakfast television interview. He was supposed to be on there talking about an upcoming fight and the Journalist hit him with sophisticated questions about world politics...The guys a boxer for Christs sake.... His views on world politics are bound to be as interesting and informed as Nie Trink whatevers.....

I find Mundine personally annoying, he has a V8 mouth and a 4 cylinder brain. His comparison of himself to the greatest Boxer ever (Ali) was laughable. He has beaten a bunch of nobodies and has beens and finally found a world title belt defended by a chump awaiting gun charges who still has a bullet lodged in his armpit from his last night out on the town. If all the "World Champ" belts available today were layed end to end they would reach the moon.

Another of Anthony's greatest efforts was slagging Cathy Freeman for not speaking out on Aboriginal issues. This is the lady that holds an olympic 400m Gold medal. An olympic track and field Gold is a world class achievment. She also understands and accepts that being a sportsperson does not entitle you to shoot your mouth about political issues....... Anthony should hand his tacky little belt back to the sideshow shooting gallery where its Crome plated plaque on black vinyl sash probably belongs.

End of rant.....

 

[reprise]

Mundine is still a tosser. He's just a tosser who has proven he can win a boxing title.

 

[Mr Manifesto]

Re: Re: Mundine KO's Critics

I need to ask few things all of which are luckily in this paragraph. How is converting to Islam empowering yourself? If you look at US civil rights movement of the 60's most people who made any real contribution were not Islamic. Aside from Mohamed Ali who is very vocal no matter what religion he would have chosen, there are no prominent followers of Islam. In facts it's widely known how corrupt and racist the "Nation of Islam" (organization that Ali belonged to which consists of African Americans) is.

I can't believe you are repeating Americans brought it upon themselves BS. I just don't get it, why is it ok for every terrorist Islamic organization to target civilians and then say "oh we are just fighting back in a war", you think it's ok. But when US attacks some military target and civilians accidentally die, you are one of the people to scream USA is an evil empire that kills people for no reason.

I don't know how converting to Islam empowers yourself. You'd have to ask the Aboriginies who are doing that. Quote all the history you like, it's irrelevant to the motives of those converting to Islam.

As for my 'repeating Americans brought it upon themselves BS', I am in fact reporting what happened. My criticism is the fact that the comment was in no way analyzed. Mundine was simply shouted down. Can you argue that America in no way contributed to the 9/11 attacks? If America didn't, what was the terrorists' motives for launching a suicide attack on the US?

 

[Zep]

Are you trying to hijack your own thread, Manifesto?!

Whatever Mundine's religious convictions, and whatever his views on US and world politics (and let's face it, opinions are like arseholes, everyone's got one), his speaking performances confirm that as a commentator he makes a good boxer.

 

[Mr Manifesto]

Nah, the "NEVER SPEAK ILL OF 9/11" crew are doing all the hijacking. What I'm trying to point out is that Mundine had a few dark hours in his career, one of them was the 9/11 comment, and the 9/11 comment need not have been that big a deal if only there was a little more respect for the right to free speech in the country that claims to have cornered the market on it.

I really think people should just get over it. The hand wringing and wailing that goes on every time someone dares to mention 9/11 with a viewpoint counter to, "It was a despicable attack perpetuated by people who are jealous of America," is getting a little old. It happened two years ago, the Americans have killed at least three innocent towelheads for every innocent American who died, and there's a great job-creation and investment opportunity in the rebuilding of the site of the WTC. I guess some people just can't look on the bright side.

 

[Zep]

I still reckon BOXING = BORING !!!

 

[RCNelson]

Mr Manifesto:
. . . what was the terrorists' motives for launching a suicide attack on the US?

If you are sincere about wanting to know the terrorists' motives, you should read what the terrorist supporters themselves have to say. It's not as if they're trying to hide their motives - they're telling their motives to everyone who will listen. But most people refuse to listen anyway.

 

[shuize]

Re: Re: Re: Mundine KO's Critics

... Can you argue that America in no way contributed to the 9/11 attacks? If America didn't, what was the terrorists' motives for launching a suicide attack on the US?

I guess this means Australia is finally willing to stand up and take responsibility for their contribution to the Bali bombing.

After all, if Australia didn't, what was the terrorists' motives for launching a suicide attack on them?

 

[Mr Manifesto]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Mundine KO's Critics

I guess this means Australia is finally willing to stand up and take responsibility for their contribution to the Bali bombing.

After all, if Australia didn't, what was the terrorists' motives for launching a suicide attack on them?

The motive was that Australia is too closely aligned to America (becoming little more than a sock puppet of America), along with Australia's increasingly arrogant relations with her pacific neighbours. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and John Howard have both said that they will send troops into countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia to pursue terrorists and that they will not brook opposition from these countries.

Did you think you were going to get a reaction from me? Unlike certain Americans, I can recognise when my country is doing wrong.

 

[Zep]

An additional problem, Manifesto, is that we don't have the humungous military might of the USA to actually back up Howard's words, and everyone knows this including our regional neighbours.

It's no wonder they look at us askant...

*sigh* When will we be rid of this nerd??

 

[Mr Manifesto]

An additional problem, Manifesto, is that we don't have the humungous military might of the USA to actually back up Howard's words, and everyone knows this including our regional neighbours.

It's no wonder they look at us askant...

*sigh* When will we be rid of this nerd??

We would have been rid of him at the last f***ing election if Al Qaeda hadn't rammed those planes into the AMERICAN BUILDINGS! THAT'S WHY I WANT TO SEE OBL'S HEAD ON A STICK AND HIS CORPSE F***ED BY GENETICALLY ENGINEERED GUARANTEED-TO-OFFEND-ALLAH PIGS! @$$HOLE!

>sigh<

 

[Kevin_Lowe]

I still reckon BOXING = BORING !!!

Like many things, it's boring if you don't know enough about it to appreciate it.

I find opera tedious. Those of my friends and family who are singers, and know enough about singing to appreciate the skill of the performers, enjoy it.

I enjoy watching ballet. My girlfriend, who avoids all forms of exercise and athleticism, finds it tedious.

I enjoy watching boxing. I like watching what they do with their hands, and how they use their footwork. I can see it when they do something clever, or something dumb.

Sadly, it causes brain damage and people really shouldn't do it or encourage it. But ballet isn't good for your feet either.