Anthony Mundine reflects on what it takes to be a champion and how he had to fight ‘the system’

Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine has given an emotional speech about the hardships he faced throughout his career, how to be a champion and how he’ll never ‘receive his flowers’. Read his explosive comments.

Anthony Mundine has been a Hoops 4 Health ambassador for decades. Picture: Contributed

Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine revealed he had to fight against ‘the system’ in order to achieve greatness at a recent sporting event.

In the Top End in an ambassadorial role as part of the Hoops 4 Health program, Mundine delivered an impassioned speech to the crowd at the Resilience Rumble – a Territory fight night focused on re-empowering youth, wellbeing, mental health and community strength.

The Australian sporting icon first spoke on the importance of keeping clean in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“I just love being able to help inspire the next generation, through telling my story and what it means to be a champion,” Mundine said.

“It’s a long road, you need to have a positive mindset, have a relentless drive, it’s hard work.

“You need to make the right choices.

“Don’t drink or get out these poisons of society, alcohol and drugs … have a goal and a dream.”

Anthony Mundine at the 2025 Hoops 4 Health x BOXfitNT Resilience Rumble. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mundine highlighted the significance that positive role models such as his father Tony, who was also one of the nation’s most accomplished fighters, played in his journey, and how he knew he was going to be sober from such a young age, also acknowledging that his time in the NRL was full of temptations.

“I’m an urban blackfella that had a dream and had goals, and my dad and mum were good examples,” he said.

“Dad used to take me down to Kings Cross when I was a young fella and we’d talk to the streets, and the people.

“They used to tell me their stories and how they (ended up) in that situation.

“Hearing them tell me not to drink, smoke or do drugs, since that moment at nine years old, I knew I was never going to.

“I also come from a culture in rugby league where drinking is big, but I stayed away and I want people to know succeeding is possible.”

Anthony Mundine playing for St George Illawarra vs. Wests Tigers, March 12, 2000.

Anthony Mundine after winning a non-title heavyweight bout in Liverpool, NSW – October 20, 2001.

Mundine then went on to speak about the trials and tribulations he faced in his career.

He touched on the night’s overarching theme of resilience and re-empowerment, saying he knows the struggle and that ‘the system’ was against him for the entirety of his career.

“Sorry to all the non-Aboriginals in the audience if I offend you, but, being a blackfella, we know we are against the system,” he said.

“They don’t want us to achieve.

“They make it so hard for us.

“I wanted to overcome that and show that I fought the system in every way.

“Racially, politically, and for the fight of my people, get rewards on the board.

“They will never give me my flowers, as far as an athlete, they’ll never give me my flowers.

“People know, there is no-one like me.

“I conquered two sports.

“Three-time world champion in boxing and before that I was the best rugby league player in the game.

“They’ll never give me that recognition, they’ll never give me my flowers. But that’s OK. As long as the people know.”

One of the junior bouts from the 2025 Hoops 4 Health x BOXfitNT Resilience Rumble. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mundine finished off his speech by saying he is always there for people in the broader community for anybody who wants to reach out to him for guidance or support.

“I’m always here through Hoops 4 Health and the Mundine Mindset for all people, but especially my people,” he said.

Originally published as Anthony Mundine reflects on what it takes to be a champion and how he had to fight ‘the system’