Mundine spoils for a stronger apology

"I think it's great because it was a historic day. But in saying that, [Rudd] ain't done shit, you know what I mean … You can talk a lot of stuff, but they haven't done nothing about it."

Mundine is a spokesman for a boxing event that will mark Friday's anniversary at The Block in Redfern. He said the Night of the Black Stars would highlight the rich history of Australian indigenous boxers and build on their sense of value.

"We got to start focusing on the positives so we can really start to get some pride and self-esteem among our own community and our own people. This will be the first time it's ever been done at The Block, so it's a historical event. Maybe it could be an annual event."

Boxing Australia's indigenous co-ordinator, Alex Wymarra, said the ticketed public event would raise funds for a new boxing and sporting academy. It would fill the void of culturally relevant opportunities for inner-city indigenous youth, he said.

"Boxing changes lives and a formal program has already delivered great results in reaching at-risk youth, providing them with focus, self-esteem and respect for their bodies."

The bill features the cream of Aboriginal and Torres Strait professional and amateur boxers, as well as cultural and sporting acts, market and food stalls and children's entertainment from afternoon to night, he said.

It will take place two days after Mundine's bout with the Australian middleweight Shannan Taylor, who he hoped would be as fiery as he was at a news conference last week that came to halt when Taylor suggested they take the fight outside, there and then.

"His only hope that he can beat me is to really ruffle me up," Mundine said. "So I'm expecting anything from the left field. I'm not expecting a clean match. I want to make him look like he's an amateur in the ring, and the way to do that is to outbox him, outclass him and outsmart him."

Photo: Bigger picture...Anthony Mundine, preparing for a training session at his father's gym in Redfern, wants more than

Source: www.smh.com.au/national/mundine-spoils-for-a-stronger-apology-20090210-83is.html