‘I’m going to sail into the sunset’: Anthony Mundine retires after his comeback fight ends in a devastating loss to a 43-year-old who hadn’t had a boxing bout in 16 years and needs a hip replacement
- Anthony Mundine, 44, was beaten in a majority decision by John Wayne Parr
- The former boxer and NRL star announced his retirement after the bout
- Parr was last seen in a boxing ring 16 years ago
- Parr, 43, also announced his retirement after the fight due to injuries
Anthony ‘Choc’ Mundine has announced his retirement from boxing after he suffered a humiliating defeat to kickboxer John Wayne Parr.
The 44-year-old former ex-world champion boxer and former rugby league star was beaten in a majority decision by Parr on Saturday night at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Parr, 43, was last in a boxing ring 16 years ago, since when he had concentrated on kickboxing in a career that saw him fight across Asia.
The 44-year-old former ex-world champion boxer and former rugby league star (right), was knocked out by Parr (left)
The 10 round match saw one judge scored Mundine 95-94, while another scored 96-93 to Parr, and the third 95-93 to Parr (pictured)
The 10 round bout saw one judge give the fight to Mundine 95-94, while the others gave it to Parr, 96-93 and 95-93.
Mundine was adamant that the bout wouldn’t end on a bad note, after he was knocked out by Jeff Horn in only 96 seconds exactly a year ago.
The first few rounds saw Parr dominate as he landed several blows on Mundine which left him pinned in a corner.
Appearing sluggish throughout, Mundine was still able to land a few punches of his own.
Mundine was knocked down in the fourth round of the middleweight contest but survived a standing eight count before being docked a point in the eighth for hitting Parr in the back of the head.
Appearing sluggish throughout, Mundine (left) was still able to land a few punches of his own
Parr (right) dominated throughout the first few rounds as he landed several blows on Mundine (left)
Parr (pictured) dominated the bout against Mundine
The defeat took Mundine’s record to 48-10, with four of those losses coming in his past five fights.
‘I’ve had a wonderful career. I thought I did enough to win but that’s boxing. I’m going to sail into the sunset now,’ Mundine said.
‘I want to thank all the Australian public. Even if they didn’t support me or didn’t like my opinions, I always did my best.’
Parr confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that he too would be retiring after the fight with Mundine as he continues to battle through an injury.
‘I’m done,’ he said. ‘I’m 43 years old, this will be my 147th fight, it’s been an amazing career.
‘I’ve always said I’m going to go until my body gives up and I’m at the stage right now where I don’t think I’d be able to get through another Muay Thai camp with the injuries I’ve sustained.’
The defeat takes Mundine’s (right) record to 48-10 and at 44 years of age, with four of those losses coming in his last five fights
At one point, Parr (right) knocked Mundine (left) through the ropes
On Saturday, Parr (right) thanked Mundine (left) for the opportunity that made him ‘go out a winner
On Saturday, he thanked Mundine for the opportunity that made him ‘go out a winner.
‘I can’t thank Anthony enough for giving me this opportunity,’ Parr said.
‘This is my last fight and I was determined to go out a winner.
‘I need a hip replacement and training was tough but I’m so happy and amazed.
‘I’ve been doing this since I was 11 years old and to have so much support for this makes me so happy.’
Parr (right) also announced his retirement following the bout due to requiring a hip replacement