Australian boxing legend Tony Mundine, who grew up in Baryulgil near Grafton before becoming a genuine world title contender, has died aged 75.
The Indigenous Australian boxing great died of a heart attack on Sunday, 30 August.
Mundine was the first Australian to fight in four different weight divisions, and in 1974 challenged Argentina’s Carlos Monzon for the world middleweight title, in a bout stopped in the seventh round.
Across a career spanning the middleweight, light-heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, he racked up 80 wins, 64 of them by knockout, 15 losses and one draw.
Mundine leaves behind a boxing dynasty. His son Anthony was an IBO middleweight and WBA super-middleweight world champion, while grandson Rahim won his fourth career fight from as many professional bouts on the Gold Coast only last week.
Anthony Mundine posted an emotional tribute to his father on social media, revealing he was travelling home from Saudi Arabia for the funeral.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m broken,” Anthony posted.
“Dad I love you man, may Allah bless your soul.
“I’m on my way home to say goodbye one last time till we meet again.
“Thanks for doing all you did for me and supporting me in every moment, showing love and strength gonna miss you Tonza, there’s only one Tony Mundine.”
State Member for Clarence Richie Williamson said Mundine, a proud Bundjalung man raised in Baryulgil before moving to Sydney in the 1960s, would be deeply missed across the region.
“Tony forged an extraordinary career in professional boxing, earning the respect of Australians both inside and outside the ring,” Mr Williamson said.
Mundine retired from professional boxing in 1984 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1986 for his service to sport, particularly boxing, and to Aboriginal youth.
“Tony Mundine leaves an enduring legacy as a champion, a role model and a proud advocate for his community,” Mr Williamson said.
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who knew and admired him during this very sad time. May he rest in peace.”
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