Bikies, criminals join Mick Gatto at weigh-in for Anthony Mundine v Sergey Rabchenko bout

THE usual suspects were all there. Leading the pack was underworld identity Mick Gatto, with fights regular and former bikie Toby Mitchell and notorious Perth criminal John Kizon in the crowd.

ANTHONY MUNDINE

THE usual suspects were all there.

Leading the pack was underworld identity Mick Gatto, with fights regular and former bikie Toby Mitchell and notorious Perth criminal John Kizon in the crowd.

Even the odd CFMEU member showed up at the Melbourne Pavilion in Kensington for the weigh-in to promote ­tonight’s light-middleweight boxing bout between Anthony “The Man’’ Mundine and ­Sergey Rabchenko.

Mitchell — in his favourite Adidas top and ever-expanding tattoos — was happy to pose for pictures to promote the Hisense Arena bout.

He was even part of the promotion as Victoria’s most ­notorious former bikie and now tattoo parlour owner.

Press Conference for Anthony Mundine vs Sergey Rabchenko for the WBC World Silver, Light Middleweight Title at Hisense Arena on Wednesday the 12th of November. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Surviving two attempts on his life on Melbourne’s streets got him some notoriety, but befriending a Richmond goalsneak made him a household name.

He’s come a long way since his days as a Bandido and dating Tony Mokbel’s ex.

But those who showed up were all there for big Mick, who sat at the head table during the pre-fight hype with a big grin on his face.

It was a great moment for Gatto because he continues to defy the odds.

Bernie “The Attorney’’ Balmer, chairman of the ­Victorian Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board, seems to be in Gatto’s corner.

Gatto, who spoke at the weigh-in, wants to put boxing back on the map. Last year Denis Napthine stripped him of his boxing promoters ­licence, banning him from ­organising this type of event.

But he’s done it anyway, ­although he is officially only a sponsor of Mundine and ­others on the undercard.

Gatto will be desperate for Mundine to win. He claims it could earn him a shot at bringing one of the greatest fighters in history, Floyd Mayweather Jr, to Australia.

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