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Relaxed Mundine sees a vision splendid

By Brad Walter

1 December 2007 - PERHAPS it has as much to do with last weekend's election result as the new perspective his career-threatening eye injury has given him. But approaching Anthony Mundine's comeback fight at Sydney Entertainment Centre on December 10, the Man is feeling "comfortable and relaxed".

"Comfortable", that is, with what he has achieved so far in his sporting career and "relaxed" about what lies ahead - including a possible move into politics.

And if the phrase is one stolen from John Howard's victory speech after first becoming prime minister 11 years ago, Mundine wouldn't care because there's a lot of things he believes need to be reclaimed from the ashes of the fallen Liberal leader's "divisive" reign.

Things such as the self-esteem of Aboriginal people and the compassion that Australia once showed to those in need.

After burning pictures of Howard and the Union Jack in his rap video earlier this year, Mundine has a message for the man who cheered him as a Dragons star but was never wanted as a fan: "Good riddance, man!"

"John Howard really divided the nation and he divided the people," Mundine said. "He encouraged racism and prejudice, and he lied a lot of times. He didn't do anything to help the Aboriginal people, he made out that he did but he didn't do anything to help their plight, so for me it's good riddance and let's start a new era with a new government that hopefully tries to help the indigenous people - not just with money but with acceptance and equality."

Mundine, who is involved with the Souths Cares program set up by the South Sydney Football Club and helped St Kilda's Xavier Clarke launch a calendar of Aboriginal role models from all walks of life, welcomed news that the incoming Labor Government planned a formal apology for the Stolen Generation.

But he said that was just a start and much more needed to be done. "An apology would give recognition and acceptance of the true history of what's happened in this country and will be a step forward, but we also need to recognise a lot of other things about health, the imprisonment rate, housing and so many other statistics that show Aboriginal people are at the bottom," he said. "To me, education is the key - education about who you are and where you come from - and they need programs so the kids can learn their language and their culture and not be bewildered in the wilderness. At the same time, our people need to know why they are the way they are, why they are depressed and why they are in the state of mind that leads them to drugs and alcohol, and these things that aren't a part of our culture.

"The only thing we've got positive is sport, and that has helped a lot of my people out of a bad situation, including myself. But when you know who you are and where you come from and what you stand for, you get a lot more pride and self-esteem from that, and hopefully after my career I'll be pushing for that."

Mundine estimates he has another three of four years in boxing and is determined to make the most of every opportunity after being told three months ago that he needed an eye transplant that would end his career.

With the vision in his left eye significantly affected by an infection he suffered following a minor operation in August, Mundine will return to the ring for the first time since June against Argentina's Jose Alberto Clavero after ignoring the initial advice of doctors at Sydney Eye Hospital.

"Oh, man, that was unbelievable," the 32-year-old WBA super-middleweight champion sighed. "I never thought I would be here, I thought I was finished for all time. I had to contemplate my career, and I knew I was in trouble so I'm still amazed. But what doesn't kill me is only going to make me stronger, and just mentally it's made me like a machine.

"That's why I prepare for every fight like it is my last now to ensure that I am victorious. I've been on my arse in the past, and guys that shouldn't have hurt me did hurt me. I've got big dreams, and my eye will continue to get better so right now I can deal with it."

Source: Sydney Morning herald

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