Anthony Mundine goes right back to basics to prepare for his final bout against Jeff Horn

There is no entourage or flash hotels as Anthony Mundine prepares for his final fight. Just his mum and dad, and a strict diet that saw him lose seven kilos, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Anthony Mundine is back to basics for his final fight.

• Kent: Mundine is ready to change, are we?
• Horn shows off the fruits of his hard work

Jeff Horn’s last big fight opponent in Brisbane booked the penthouse and six floors of the Sofitel Hotel for his entourage of more than 200.

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao also flew in from the Philippines on his own charted plane.

Compare this to Anthony Mundine.

He’s staying in the suburbs in a basic $180-a-night two-bedroom apartment with his mum and dad.

He drove himself to Brisbane in his 2014 Holden.

Anthony Mundine has stripped back his training regimen. (Sam Ruttyn)

The usual Mundine pre-fight entourage and hanger-oners are nowhere to be seen. Not even his own children are there. There’s no room service, housemaids or fresh linen.

Next Friday night Mundine steps into the ring for his 57th and final fight against Horn at Suncorp Stadium.

His preparation has never been like this one.

Mundine talk to Phil Rothfield about his preparation.

“I needed to be isolated this time,” Mundine said. “I needed to be alone and totally focused on losing my weight with no distractions.

“It can get a bit boring and I miss having my brothers around but they understand this is the way I had to do it.

“I’ve had to be selfish. It’s all about performance. Just me with my mum and dad.”

Mundine with his coach after they won Zetland Juniors Under 7s.

It’s like turning the clock back almost 40 years to when little four-year-old Anthony Mundine joined Zetland Magpies Under 6s to play his first game of rugby league.

It was the beginning what would become of one of the most remarkable careers in Australia’s sporting history.

“It’s ironic that it was just Mum and Dad back then and it’s the same now for this fight,” he said.

“Running me to training and all the things parents do; they’ve been there for me over the entire journey.”

Tony Mundine paved the way for his son.

Dad Tony has been in Mundine’s his corner since he quit rugby league 15 years ago for his first fight.

And his mum Lyn has played the biggest role in this fight preparation, providing the home cooked meal and strict diet to ensure he lost the 7kg to make the 71kg limit for the fight.

If he failed to make weight, Mundine would have faced fines of up to $1 million.

The family have been in Brisbane for a month, all dedicated to the once cause.

Lyn makes all the meals — Breakfast (a bowl of porridge and a teaspoon of honey. No milk)

Lunch and dinner (steamed fish or chicken with salad or cooked vegetables.)

Carrots, celery, red apples or lite yoghurt for snacking.

Mundine at Marrickville Town Hall for his first three round-round exhibition fight.

“It’s been a great preparation,” Lyn said, “He’s just focused, focused and focused.

“Even more so than he has before previous big fights.

“A dietitian and nutrition expert had a look and what we were doing and said don’t change a thing.

“We were doing everything that was required.

“Anthony has already reached his weight so we know he’ll be strong and he’ll be ready.”

She still fondly remembers the good old days, when she would drive little Choc from their home in Earlwood to Zetland’s home ground at Waterloo Oval.

He was obsessed with sport from the beginning.

It is a far cry from the noise Mundine has made in the past.

“If Tony was overseas fighting I had to do all the running around on my own,” Lyn said.

“On the odd occasion I couldn’t get him to training he’d have a tantrum, slam doors and all that sort of stuff. He just loved sport from the start.”

Tony has taken eight weeks long service leave from his job as a Qantas baggage supervisor to handle the preparation.

In Brisbane they have trained in the backyard of a friend’s yard and Tony couldn’t be happier despite losing so much energy in the weight loss program.

“He’s very strong and very fast and he’s ready to rumble,” Tony declared.

Mum Lyn has been very strict with Mundine’s miracle diet. (David Swift.)

Mundine Sr does the lot. The pads, the tactics, the fitness and even massages his son down after each session in the Queensland heats.

So long known for the power of his mouth as much as his fists, Mundine has taken a different approach this time with little to no nasty trash talk.

Horn is too nice a person.

“When I see the man face-to-face at the press conference and weigh-in that will probably change,” Mundine said.

“He won’t be a good guy, he’ll be my enemy. He’s trying to hurt me and take away my legacy.”

The man is in better shape than ever. (Sam Ruttyn)

One thing that will never change is Mundine’s confidence levels.

Give him 24 hours and he’ll talk himself up all day. Always has, always will.

“I’m better than Jeff on every level,” he says, “I’ve got him on speed, power, footwork, ability. Skill.

“Horn cannot beat me unless I let him beat me. There’s not an area that he can beat me at.”

As fight night gets closer, Lyn Mundine’s nerves are building.

She will make her own sacrifice when Mundine steps out of the ring for the final time on Friday night.

“Anthony has been at me to quit smoking for as long as I can remember,” Lyn said.

“I’ve always used his sport an excuse. I get really nervous when he’s fighting. Anyway I told him I’d stop when he stops. And I’ll have to.”

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Originally published as Anthony Mundine goes right back to basics to prepare for his final bout against Jeff Horn