Anthony Mundine preparing for furious attack from John Wayne Parr

Anthony Mundine knows what’s coming at him from John Wayne Parr and will be stronger and sharper than he was when Jeff Horn knocked him out in the first round 12 months ago.

Desperate to leave boxing a winner, Anthony Mundine is preparing to repel a furious opening onslaught against martial arts great John Wayne Parr at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast next week.

The 44-year-old former world boxing champion and State of Origin league player is training to withstand an all-out barrage from Parr, who held the Australian middleweight boxing title 16 years ago before concentrating on his international kickboxing career.

Mundine was knocked out in the first round against Jeff Horn in his last fight at Suncorp Stadium 12 months ago and expects Parr to adopt the same swarming, aggressive tactics as Horn from the opening bell.

Anthony Mundine is ready for a furious onslaught. Picture: Annette Dew

Chris McCullen, who is helping to prepare Mundine from his Logan gym for the November 30 battle, says his fighter will be much stronger for this bout with a 75kg weight limit, rather than the 71kg limit in place for the Horn fight.

“You will see a much different Anthony,’’ McCullen said.

“He will be much stronger and sharper than he was for Horn. He will need to be.

“John Wayne saw the way that Horn attacked and he will put the pressure on from the opening bell. John Wayne has never backed down from anybody. Even into his 40s he’s been taking on young bulls in kickboxing around the world and winning.

“So it is crucial that Anthony use his jab and feet to stay out of danger before he starts to break down John Wayne with the heavier shots. He will have to slow John Wayne down because he is such a warrior and always dangerous.

“Anthony can win the fight but he has to get through that initial period when John Wayne is so aggressive.’’

Anthony Mundine (left) and John Wayne Parr face off at Cbus Super Stadium ahead of their upcoming boxing match. Picture: Glenn Hampson

McCullen claims Mundine was severely weight drained for the Horn fight and won’t make that mistake again.

“Anthony was determined to win against Jeff but when you drain weight like he was on a frame that’s already lean and at his age it was just too much of an ask,’’ McCullen said.

Parr, 43, who had 10 wins in 13 pro boxing fights between 1998 and 2003, calls the Mundine fight his “Melbourne Cup moment’’ and his chance to gain widespread recognition as a fighter.

“I might not be as slick a boxer as Mundine was when he was world champ but I make up for that with power,” Parr said.

“I’m a volume puncher. I throw punches in bunches, 10 at a time. I might miss the first few but when I eventually hit you it’s going to hurt and I can hurt Mundine.’’