Rahim Mundine doesn’t speak anywhere near as loudly as the old man.
Or go close to filling your notepad like dad once did.
Tszyu vs Diaz | Wednesday 6 May from 7pm AEST | Nikita Tszyu continues his rise in boxing as he takes on Spain’s undefeated Oscar Diaz. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
But as for that signature Choc confidence?
Well, when asked this week about becoming the greatest ‘Son of Gun’ in Australian boxing, and eventually going as big as, say, Tim and Nikita Tszyu, the 24-year-old grinned: “Oh, for sure … if not bigger”.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on the eve of his latest fight, the undefeated prospect also admitted to understanding exactly what his famed surname brings, adding: “While there are obviously pros and cons, it really is a blessing.
“My name, it puts the eyeballs and bright lights on me.”
Despite being only two wins into his professional career, Mundine is vowing to steal the show on Wednesday’s Main Event pay-per-view, where Nikita Tszyu headlines against undefeated Spaniard Oscar Diaz.
Elsewhere, the fighting son of Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine also talked – albeit softly — about his chase for world titles, Danny Green’s son, even a showdown against that fella who ended his own father’s career – Michael Zerafa.
And while Mundine’s latest opponent, Queenslander Lance McDonald, is most famous for wearing g-strings to his weigh ins, this now third generation boxer is convinced the showdown will prove another step in his continuing the successes of a surname made famous by both his father, Choc, and grandfather, Tony.
Elsewhere, Mundine has also doubled down on a Zerafa challenge.
Back in January, CJ told Fox Sports Australia of his desire to throw down against ‘Pretty Boy’, stressing he remains “pissed off” by the way Australia’s boxing bad boy celebrated after knocking his old man out of the sport.
It was in 2021 that Zerafa needed less than a round to finish Mundine snr in what would also double as the last fight of a career all headlines, world titles, and bucketloads of controversy.
While Choc was, by then, aged 45, and coming off consecutive defeats against both Jeff Horn and John Wayne Parr, Zerafa celebrated the win in a way that Rahim hasn’t forgotten.
Speaking about it all at a January press event, the fighter recounted watching the back end of his father’s career and remembering how “as the later losses began happening, it started to piss me off”.
“These guys like Zerafa, Jeff Horn,” he continued, “they were celebrating like they had won against a prime Mundine.
“That rubbed me the wrong way to be honest.”
Which is why, should No Limit ever work with Zerafa again, he wants the fight.
And as for how quickly his own rise will be?
“I’m not worried about how long it all takes,” Mundine said this week, “so long as it’s done right.
“Dad had 10 fights and went for a world title.
“I probably won’t do it like that.
“I’m going to do this the right way.
“And in my own time.
“This isn’t about rushing for other people.”
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Mundine stressed the old man thinks exactly the same way.
For proof, the super middleweight prospect recounted what was supposed to be his No Limit debut back in January, and on the undercard of what would eventually be Nikita’s controversial no contest result against Michael Zerafa in Brisbane.
Mundine was a late withdrawal in fight week however, after suffering a slight calf strain when out running.
“And even though the injury wasn’t too bad — just a minor calf strain — my dad didn’t want to risk anything,” Rahim explains.
“So he took me out.
“The way my dad looks at it, all these guys fighting me have nothing to lose. And that’s why he doesn’t want me going in there unless I’m 100 per cent.
“I would’ve fought in Brisbane but dad said no.”
And as for sparring the old man?
“Nah, we haven’t done that for about a year now,” he explains, grinning.
“My dad is 92kg now, he’s too heavy.
“But last time we sparred I went alright.
“It was weird. But I went alright.”
Mundine Snr will be in his son’s corner on fight night, along with longtime Sydney trainer Lincoln Hudson.
“And it’s great to have someone there like dad who has that experience,” CJ continues.
“He’s always letting me know what to do. What not to do.”
Tszyu vs Diaz | Wednesday 6 May from 7pm AEST | Nikita Tszyu continues his rise in boxing as he takes on Spain’s undefeated Oscar Diaz. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
While Mundine is already being talked up for a bout against the son of his father’s longtime rival Danny Green, CJ stressed that any showdown with the still amateur Archie Green wasn’t taking up any of his thoughts.
“We’re both doing our own thing right now,” he said of the potential showcase. “So if that one is meant to be, then it’s meant to be.
“But for now I’m not worried about that.
“I’m just worried about getting experience and fighting the next guy in front of me.
“Next year and a half, I’ll be gunning for everyone.”
And as for how he feels on fight eve?
“Everything feels good, man,” he said. “I’m a little bit nervous, but not too bad.
“It’s great to be here getting amongst it.
“I can’t wait to feel the fans, feel the crowd then go put on a show.”
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