Mundine redlighted

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Mundine redlighted

Fox Sports

April 28, 2004

ANTHONY Mundine's doctor yesterday recommended the boxer withdraw from his world title defence next week, but The Man hoped his proven recuperative abilities would still allow him to fight.

Mundine has been diagnosed with a grade two-three lateral ligament sprain of his right ankle, which Martin Raftery said would normally sideline someone from a pivoting sport for four to six weeks.

Mundine, who is scheduled to make a mandatory defence of his World Boxing Association super-middleweight title against Puerto Rican Mani Siaca at the Sydney Entertainment Centre next Wednesday, suffered the injury on Monday night when he slipped on a wet patch in the ring of his Redfern gym while sparring.

Raftery, who initially treated Mundine on Monday night and again yesterday, said that, while the injury had improved overnight and would more than likely do so again today, the rate of healing would be subsequently slow.

"He's not going to be able to train this week at all and my advice to him is he should probably consider postponing the fight, which he's not keen to do," Raftery said.

"But I don't really feel he's going to have any option, but I will be reviewing him each day and he will be making that decision as the week goes on, I assume."

Mundine said he would reassess his situation tonight and again tomorrow night.

"It's got a lot better, but it's far from where I want it to be," Mundine said. "I feel like my chances are high, but then again, you've got to look at how it responds.

"I still haven't ruled myself out, there's a lot more treatment to go in the next three days and come Friday I will have a much better grip on things," he said.