Mundine Stuns Mosely

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Australian Muslim boxer Anthony Mundine scored a sixth-round technical knockout over Shane Mosley in their World Boxing Association (WBA) international super welterweight title fight Wednesday, the first knockout of any kind for the American Mosley. That is a feat of which the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr, and Oscar de la Hoya cannot boast.

The 42-year-old Mosley decided to quit before the seventh round, citing back spasms. He said he would decide after he returned to the U.S. whether he would retire. “What’s done is done,” Mosley said when asked whether he would fight again.

Mundine, a 38-year-old former rugby player, improved to 45-5 with 26 knockouts at Homebush in western Sydney. Mundine was leading 58-56 on two cards and 60-55 on the third. “I was in killer mode, but my heart goes out to Shane, I know he’s a winner,” Mundine told the press. “He’s not one to pull out for nothing. He’s one of the greatest fighters to have ever lived.”

An indigenous Australian, Mundine converted to Islam in 1999. He has been outspoken in his political views, having been called at one time “…the most polarizing athlete in Australian sports history.” And having been such an accomplished rugby player, Mundine was also once called “…arguably the greatest crossover athlete in boxing history.” The fight with Mosley was delayed for five weeks over financial issues, including a last-minute cancellation on October 23rd of this year.

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