06.09.05 – By Gavin Stone: Anthony Mundine and Rashid Matumla saw each other for the first time at this morning’s unofficial weigh in and press conference. Matumla (30-7) who is of Tanzinian decent but based in South Africa says he is here to knock out Mundine (23-3) and predicts doing so before the 6th round is over.
A strong media presence turnout at the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) Arena witnessed Matumla weigh in at 77.8kg and Mundine 77.5kg, both over the 76.2kg limit for this WBA Pan-African super middleweight title elimination bout. Both fighters have until 6pm to make the official weight. When asked about being over the limit Mundine said “must have been them pancakes I had last night”. Mundine said he has not seen any footage of tomorrow night’s opponent and wasn’t sure what Matumla would bring to the ring..
“The unknown, it’s pretty nerve-racking and scary to be honest, you don’t know what to expect,” Mundine said.
“You don’t know how he’s going to come out, what he’s going to do, but I’m prepared for everything.
“I’m prepared for him at his best, it doesn’t matter what he brings.
“I can do 10 rounds no problems.
“Looking at his record he has only had seven losses, and the guys that did beat him, a couple of them are world class so its going to be interesting.
“I know he moves like a snake man, I’ll have to be like … Steve Irwin,” Mundine said.
“He can punch, but I’ve been in with the best of them, Kessler, Siaca. They have high knock-out ratios, I never worry about power … but you have to be aware of it.
“I know I can hit too, so it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m looking forward to a knock-out.”
Although Matumla was also very confident and predict a victory over the former WBA super middleweight world champion.
“I’m coming to destroy Mundine, I’m ready for this fight,” he said.
“I want to tell Mundine I don’t want you, I want Kessler.
“You’re just a stepping stone in my way.”
Mundine additionally had plenty to say about his future plans for the super middleweight division
“Hopefully I’ll fight Kessler again,” Mundine said.
“Definitely, most definitely, I want to fight Green, to show him, to shut him up and let people know that I’m the man.
“I’ll let my management work out a deal, it’s getting very close, but we will work out a deal that I’m happy with and we can go ahead and squash that cock…..roach.”
Promotion starts at 7pm.
Undercard;
Peter Kazzi v Daniel McKinnon – 4 x 3 minute rounds (Light Heavyweight)
Mohammed Elomar v Wisnuthep. Sor. Sitthichai – 6 X 3 minute rounds (Junior Lightweight)
Ahmed Elomar v TBA – 4 x 3 minute rounds (Junior Lightweight)
Jamie Withers v Daniel Amman – 6 x 2 minute rounds (Cruiserweight)
Danny Withers v Damien Smith – 6 x 3 minute rounds (Junior Lightweight)
Gavin Stone, TheBlackSuperman.com