Mundine Soliman III

Marlin · Post by **Marlin** » 11 Mar 2008, 18:07

ANTHONY MUNDINE'S management team has not ruled out the possibility of a future bout with Sakio Bika as they prepare to announce details of the WBA super-middleweight champion's next fight - against Sam Soliman in Melbourne.

Mundine, who scored a unanimous points decision over fellow Sydneysider Nader Hamdan just two weeks ago, will fight Soliman for the third time at Melbourne's Vodafone Arena on May 28.

After suffering a ninth-round KO to Mundine at Sydney Entertainment Centre last March, Soliman has taken up an option clause in their deal for a re-match and believes hometown advantage will help him avenge his previous two defeats.

"People need to remember that Jake LaMotta fought Sugar Ray Robinson five times and Sugar Ray Robinson beat him four times, so the idea of a re-match is something that has happened throughout the history of boxing," Mundine's manager, Khoder Nasser, said.

"Sam has taken up his re-match option and the fight is going to be down there. I want to be known as a man of my word and I believe in 'do as to others what you want others to do unto you'."

Soliman's last fight was against American Wayne Johnsen to decide third and fourth place on reality television show The Contender after losing a unanimous points decision to Bika, the eventual winner.

Bika, who is due to have a tune-up in Sydney next month before a bout in the US against a big-name opponent, also wants to fight Mundine and called him out in last Saturday's Herald.

"Sam's got runs on the board in some fights. His fight against Winky Wright really established him, whereas Sakio's fame has mostly come from winning The Contender," Nasser said. "But he has fought Markus Beyer, Joe Calzaghe and Lucian Bute, so that's a pretty impressive record for a 28-year-old."

buster007 · Post by **buster007** » 11 Mar 2008, 18:15

looks like mundine doesn't have any interest in fighting abroad.

toppity · Post by **toppity** » 11 Mar 2008, 18:29

Well it could be alot worse than this. Sam is no chump, so if he is injury free and learnt from his last fight it might be worth watching. The next question is what sort of an undercard can they put together this time. If it is half decent I'll go and watch.

Beltane · Post by **Beltane** » 11 Mar 2008, 20:14

Sam is really a middleweight who built up to fight Mundine in the next weight division. Even then in their last fight, Daman looked far bigger than Sam and this fact told as Daman was able to dominate Sam before the stoppage.

A third fight will only end in tears for Sam, who deserves to remembered better.

Sakio Bika would be a far better opponent and drawcard for the Daman, who might even be lucky to put one or two decent bouts on his undercard for once.

calmac66 · Post by **calmac66** » 11 Mar 2008, 21:36

I reckon Sakios resume is probably better then Mundines.
Codrington, Calzaghe, Bute, Beyer and Soliman in his last eight fights so thats 5 good names out of 8.

Mundine has Green and Soliman as the only stand out names in his last 8, maybe an argument for Hamden.

Marlin · Post by **Marlin** » 11 Mar 2008, 22:00

calmac66 wrote:I reckon Sakios resume is probably better then Mundines.
Codrington, Calzaghe, Bute, Beyer and Soliman in his last eight fights so thats 5 good names out of 8.

Mundine has Green and Soliman as the only stand out names in his last 8, maybe an argument for Hamden.

As a name six years ago but not much else. No offence to Nader...

buster007 · Post by **buster007** » 11 Mar 2008, 22:12

i agree that sam is a great fighter.
with mundine fighting sam and then maybe sakio, and green too, i assume then there looks like there is little chance of him travelling overseas. unless he beats green at light heavyweight then his international appeal would surely be dented even more.
the fact he is getting handy money fighting here is the reason i assume.

Bushboy · Post by **Bushboy** » 12 Mar 2008, 00:22

Its a simple case of Mundine wanting to retire filthy rich (which he will do) and Soliman looking for one last big payday(which I hope he gets) I personally hope this fight never happens as it will be a step backwards for aussie boxing apart from lifting its profile a bit in this country.
But if sammy is going to retire soon he needs the money.
Boxers dont have up to date super funds

convict · Post by **convict** » 12 Mar 2008, 00:32

I cant belive this fight is going through, As a Mundine fan im really starting to get sick of these shit-house fights, I understand it was Stu Duncan and Co pushing to get this fight so Sam can cash in on his TV fame, This is not a fight the fans want to see - its a step backwards.

JSA · Post by **JSA** » 12 Mar 2008, 02:36

oh joy.Not sure whats worse-this rematch or Khoders holier than thou stance about doing to others......what a farce.Sure he didnt put up to much debate when the rematch clause was penned to the last contract.

This is just bad.No disrespect to Sam coz he is a good middleweight albeit a bit hard to watch in the past BUT he has no chance.So it looks like we caan forget Mundine going overseas this year and lets be honest probably ever.Disappointing to say the least.

Really hope Sam can pull a miracle but aabout as likely as Nader pulling one.Dont thhink I will even bother with watching.If,as it sounds,there will be an in between fight for Mundine i fear what corpse they will pull out and of course talk up as a worthy challenger.

Sorry Choc but my interest in following your career(?)has just waned completely.I hope you make as much money as you can(you and your grotesque manager) and retire rich but retire in shame .This former fan is just that-not thaat he will give a toss coz he has been ripping his fans off for years.Guess the nuthuggers will keep hugging but i aint one of those and feel as a former fan he has shamed aussie boxing enough.

stewza · Post by **stewza** » 12 Mar 2008, 04:40

zzz, boring.

I for one won't be watching this stale, been done matchup if it ends up happening.

Brute · Post by **Brute** » 12 Mar 2008, 21:44

Sam must think he has some kind of a chance or he would not have enforced the rematch clause. He is still a formidable opponent.

buster007 · Post by **buster007** » 12 Mar 2008, 22:30

i agree to a point. but i still can't believe that mundine knocked sam out the first time. it was the last result i was expecting. mundine is probably only getting better but is sam? unlikely. but as per all mundines fights i hope sam wins.

toppity · Post by **toppity** » 12 Mar 2008, 22:46

Just out of interest, there was an sms poll on the local sports radio station this morning asking who people would support, sam or the man. It only had 20 minutes to go when i got out of my car, but at that stage it was 100% sam.

convict · Post by **convict** » 12 Mar 2008, 23:06

Do u think Soliman will have the contender music playing for his ring walk?
Maybe Suger Ray can be his corner man.

Brute · Post by **Brute** » 13 Mar 2008, 01:05

buster007 wrote:i agree to a point. but i still can't believe that mundine knocked sam out the first time. it was the last result i was expecting. mundine is probably only getting better but is sam? unlikely. but as per all mundines fights i hope sam wins.

Mundine KOed Sam the second time they fought. The first time Mundine won a split decision.

Marlin · Post by **Marlin** » 13 Mar 2008, 01:24

Brute wrote:
buster007 wrote:i agree to a point. but i still can't believe that mundine knocked sam out the first time. it was the last result i was expecting. mundine is probably only getting better but is sam? unlikely. but as per all mundines fights i hope sam wins.
Mundine KOed Sam the second time they fought. The first time Mundine won a split decision.

Shoud be, Mundine "won" a split decision...

Bentley23 · Post by **Bentley23** » 13 Mar 2008, 01:56

doesnt matter he's ganna get knocked out again mundine is to big for middleweights coming up

Grant · Post by **Grant** » 13 Mar 2008, 02:42

What about Soliman V Mundine at Middleweight. I might watch that.

pawpaw · Post by **pawpaw** » 13 Mar 2008, 17:22

give soliman a shotgun. i wanna see that!

Brute · Post by **Brute** » 13 Mar 2008, 18:44

Mundine is about 10kg lighter now than he was when he played football. I do not think he could make middleweight.

calmac66 · Post by **calmac66** » 14 Mar 2008, 00:25

I wasn't really all that impressed with Solimans performance in the Contender. Then again if he has been training with Buddy since the serious ended he might have a few new tricks up his sleeve.

toppity · Post by **toppity** » 14 Mar 2008, 02:58

Here's a quote from the Melbourne (apparently poorly attended) press conference. It didn't seem to mention anything about his unwillingness to travel, but it is good for a laugh,

Anthony Mundine -

"I've been trying to get (Joe) Calzaghe for a couple of years now. I want to fight anyone, anytime, anywhere but they all duck me, man. Danny Green, they are all chickens.

"I'm a complete fighter and I now believe it. I want to prove my brand name internationally. I want to keep looking spectacular. Only a few fighters have the ability God has given me."

convict · Post by **convict** » 14 Mar 2008, 12:01

How sad if this fight goes the distance.

pawpaw · Post by **pawpaw** » 15 Mar 2008, 00:41

lacy would fight him....