By Srithar Visuasam: Australian former world light heavyweight champion Danny Green (25-3, 22 KOs), will return from a 12 month hiatus from boxing this Sunday night against South African Anthony Van Niekerk (21-6-2, 13 KOs) at the Challenge Stadium in Perth, Australia.
Green, 36, who defeated Croatian Stipe Drews for the WBA light heavyweight title in December 2007, announced his retirement in April 2008 just a couple of weeks before his first scheduled defense against Argentine Hugo Garay, citing a view for his future health and the height of his career.. This view has since changed, largely due to the $5 million carrot dangled by Khoder Nasser, the promoter of compatriot Anthony Mundine.
Discussions have been held between Nasser and Green since Dannys’ retirement last year for a rematch between Green and Mundine. After months and months of talk and speculation, Green finally announced his return to boxing in February this year. Green has stated that he wishes to fight 2-3 tune up bouts over the next 6-12 months in a build up to a rematch with Mundine around this time next year.
Green and Mundine previously fought in May 2006, at a packed Aussie Stadium in Sydney, Australia in front of an outdoor crowd of over 30,000 people, the most watched pay-per-view boxing event in Australian history. Mundine prevailed comfortably via a 12 round unanimous decision in what was a WBA super middleweight title eliminator bout.
Green’s comeback bout against Niekerk will be over 10 rounds. Van Niekerk, 35, has fought between the junior middleweight and light heavyweight divisions during his 29 fight career and is a former South African middleweight champion. This will be only his second bout overseas and Green will certainly be his toughest opponent to date.
The Australian is expected to negotiate the South African without too many problems, with this writer predicting a Green victory via a fifth round stoppage. The bout will be staged at Perth’s Challenge Stadium, the home to many of Green’s fights over his career.
Tickets for the event are priced between $65 and $125 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.com.au.