Moment that broke Anthony Mundine’s tough-guy exterior

There is another side to the trash-talking Anthony Mundine that punters have never seen. On Tuesday night he will break down in tears on television. It is raw emotion.

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There is another side to the trash-talking Anthony Mundine that punters have never seen.

On Tuesday night he will break down in tears on television. It is raw emotion.

“I cry in sad movies,” Mundine said. “I’m a bit of a softie deep down, bra.

“There’s nothing wrong with a man crying.”

Mundine broke down in a recorded interview with colleague Paul Kent to be aired on Tuesday night on Fox Sports when the controversial boxer was questioned about his lowest and tougher moments.

The one he spoke about had nothing to do with boxing or rugby league but the death of a close female friend from cancer.

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The sister of an old NRL champion.

This is the sensitive side of Mundine we have never seen before, especially this close to the Jeff Horn fight at Suncorp Stadium, the last of his career.

A few days out from a contest he is usually picking a fight outside the ring.

There are never any signs of humbleness or humility.

It’s been all about selling tickets and pay-per-view subscribers and to whip himself into the killer mood.

“That’s my alter ego and that’s who you’ll get over the next few days,” he said.

“I’ll start to ramp up 48 hours from Friday night. You’re going to see a different person.

Anthony Mundine held an open training session in central Brisbane on Monday as he continues preparations for Friday’s fight. Picture: AAP

“I’ll change into a different animal. Mentally and psychologically.

“It’s to get the best out of myself and to perform like I’ll have to. I need to be The Man, not Anthony Mundine.”

The Man’s long-time agent Khoder Nasser said it’s partly about showbiz but also his relentless campaigning for indigenous causes.

“As a caring person, you’re not going to get an argument out of anyone who knows him,” Nasser said.

“And as an aboriginal there’s a lot of sadness and hardship with his people that has affected him emotionally. He’s used his profile to highlight that.”

Jeff Horn and Anthony Mundine have been building towards Friday’s fight for months. Picture: Getty

There is also, he said, the physical nature of his sport.

It’s hard to be nice when you’re about to climb into a boxing ring to knock out an opponent.

“It’s almost like if you’re caring and sensitive and give a shit about people, you can’t have that at the forefront of your mind in a physical sporting arena,” Nasser said.

“You’ve got to be in a competitive mode and Choc changes his personality altogether.

“It’s showbiz and professional sport. It’s about getting eyeballs to watch you. That’s how you get paid.”

Fox Sports will show the Anthony Mundine interview at 8.30pm on Tuesday night.

Originally published as Moment that broke Anthony Mundine’s tough-guy exterior