Anthony Mundine speaks after humiliating final retirement fight

Anthony Mundine has been annihilated by Michael Zerafa in their fight night in Bendigo and went out with a resigned statement.

Anthony Mundine at the weigh in

It was far from the most unexpected finish but 45-year-old Anthony Mundine has announced his retirement from boxing after a first round TKO to Michael Zerafa.

Mundine was a two-time world champion boxer but his latest output showed he just didn’t know how to give the game away.

Until now.

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Mundine was outclassed from the opening bell as Zerafa stalked his prey, knocking Mundine down twice within two minutes.

While Mundine did his best, the power was gone from his punches and it was little more than a training run for Zerafa as a right hand to the temple finished the job as the ref waved off the fight.

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There were hugs all around at the end as Mundine did his final lap of honour.

Speaking in the ring after he was knocked out in just over two minutes, Mundine confirmed it was well and truly the end.

“Definitely, definitely, that was it for me win, lose or draw,” he said. “Even if I won I still would have hung them up. I just haven’t got the heart any more to do it.”

Anthony Mundine's career is over.

While it’s not the first time Mundine has given away the sport, this appears to be the last hurrah, ending a long and illustrious — and controversial — career in both boxing and rugby league.

While he finishes with a 48-11 record, Mundine lost six of his last eight fights, including being KO'd in the first round by both Jeff Horn and now Zerafa.

In fact Mundine already “retired” after the Horn fight, but came back and lost a split decision to kickboxer John Wayne Parr and now Zerafa since then.

Thankfully, Mundine admitted he is no longer the fighter he once was. It might mean this retirement is, at last, the one that sticks.

“Hamdullah man, thank god,” he said. “I’m healthy but I got caught in the first round. It happens in boxing. Hopefully Michael can go on and be a success and reach all his dreams.

“But he wanted to fight me when he was 15, lucky you got me when I was 45, not 35.”

“I said hamdullah, god has given me great talent both in rugby league and boxing. I’m not the fighter I was five years ago, a year ago or 10 years ago. But I’ve achieved a lot in my lifetime and hamdullah — it’s all for the praise of god.”

Fox Sports boxing commentator Ben Damon tweeted: “As expected Anthony Mundine was stopped in round one against Michael Zerafa. What a legend he has been regardless! Australian boxing owes Choc a lot. He’s officially retired.”

Mundine hugs Michael Zerafa after the fight.

Mundine had some of the biggest fights in Australia throughout his career after leaving the NRL midway through the 2000 season to get into boxing.

Twenty-one years later, he’s no doubt inspired many Australian boxers, including the man who put the full stop on The Man’s career.

Zerafa said it was “a legacy fight for me”.

“Fifteen years I’ve been waiting for this moment and I’ve finally got it and delivered,” he said. “A huge thank you to the Mundine team for the opportunity.

“Anthony, nothing but love and respect brother, you’re the one that put the sport on the map, the best ever to lace them up in Australian boxing. It’s my time, I told you, you’ve passed the torch.

“And now it’s time — Tim Tszyu, pardon my French, stop f***ing running, it’s time to fight.

“It’s the best fight, the best match up, we’re the number one in our division, he had a four fight plan that he always said I was in. He’s fought three out of the four and he’s running scared. He’s sitting there saying no one wants to fight him and he’s picking retired fighters and welterweights. I’m here, I’ve always been here, stop running.

“We’ve called him out, I crashed his fight, lets give back to Australian boxing. Let’s put boxing back on the map. It’s my time.”