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Anthony Mundine to draw inspiration from demolition of iconic gym

Tyson OttoNews Corp Australia

ANTHONY Mundine will use the heartbreak of watching his childhood gym being torn down and rebuilt as fuel for his grudge match with Daniel Geale.

Mundine yesterday worked the pads and sparred an invisible opponent for one hour in front of a big crowd of more than 100 friends, family and media at the famous Tony Mundine Elouera Gymnasium at Redfern that is set to be demolished as part of a redevelopment of the Block by the Aboriginal Housing Company.

In the well-used 28-year-old facility, Mundine impressed on fans that he was ready for the "biggest fight" of his career to date when he takes on fellow Aussie Daniel Geale on January 30 in an IBF middleweight world title showdown at Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Anthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to fight against Daniel Geale.
Camera IconAnthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to fight against Daniel Geale. Credit: The Daily Telegraph, Phil Hillyard

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He was there with his dad Tony Mundine in 1984 when the gym was first opened and he will train there for the last time next week.

Every bout he won in Australia was spearheaded from the iconic, but weathered facility, still plastered with posters of past glories and old equipment. "It's been a big inspiration for me," Mundine said yesterday.

"It's been there my whole career. I was there when it opened.

Anthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to fight against Daniel Geale.
Camera IconAnthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to fight against Daniel Geale. Credit: The Daily Telegraph, Phil Hillyard

"I've got that affinity with the people. I represent the streets. I think I get a lot of support from that. It was a great turnout. Great love. All the people were showing me love."

It is the venue where so many of our boxing champions have trained, including recently Billy Dib, Danny Green and Jeff Fenech. Tony Mundine, who also used the gym before he retired in 1984, said it was sad to see the end of such an important part of Australian boxing.

Anthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to fight against Daniel Geale.
Camera IconAnthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to fight against Daniel Geale. Credit: The Daily Telegraph, Phil Hillyard

"It's very sad, but you have to upgrade everything these days. It's sad to see it get pulled down. I just hope the new gym will be just as good for the kids," Tony Mundine said.

Anthony Mundine believes his final public training session at the iconic facility had a touch of Muhammad Ali's famous Deer Lake training base where he prepared for his final fight. But Mundine, 37, insists the similarities end there.

Anthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to Wednesday night's fight against Daniel Geale.
Camera IconAnthony Mundine during a training session at his father's Redfern gym in the lead up to Wednesday night's fight against Daniel Geale. Credit: The Daily Telegraph, Phil Hillyard

Originally published as Heartbreak to motivate 'The Man'