Former champion Indigenous boxer Tony Mundine dies aged 75
Australian boxing great Tony Mundine, one of the country’s most accomplished Indigenous fighters, has died at the age of 75.
Mundine died at the weekend, with reports stating that he suffered a heart attack and was surrounded by family in hospital. His death was confirmed by his son, former world champion boxer and rugby league player Anthony Mundine.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m broken,” Anthony Mundine wrote on social media. “Dad, I love you man. May Allah bless your soul. I’m on my way home to say goodbye one last time.”
A proud Bundjalung man, Mundine was the first Australian boxer to compete professionally across four weight divisions: middleweight, light-heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight. He won four Australian titles during a professional career that produced 80 victories, including 64 by knockout, alongside 15 defeats and one draw.
His most significant international opportunity came in October 1974, when he challenged Argentina’s Carlos Monzón for the world middleweight title at Buenos Aires’ Luna Park. Monzón retained the championship after stopping Mundine in the seventh round.
Mundine retired from boxing in 1984 and later devoted much of his time to mentoring young people at his gym in Redfern, Sydney. He was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal in 1986 for his services to sport, particularly boxing and Aboriginal youth, and was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005.
He remained a familiar presence in Anthony Mundine’s corner during his son’s boxing career, helping guide him to world titles. The family’s boxing legacy continued through Mundine’s grandson Rahim, who is also a professional boxer.
Tributes have flowed from the Australian boxing community, including former rival Danny Green, who described Mundine as a legendary figure in the sport. His influence extended beyond his own achievements, with generations of Indigenous athletes crediting him as an important role model and mentor.
