An older, wiser Danny Green is ready to close the book on boxing with a win over Anthony Mundine
A RELAXED Danny Green has identified a knockout of Anthony Mundine at Adelaide Oval on February 3 as the ideal way to end his decorated boxing career.
The 2000 Olympian hopes to not only bury the ghosts of his loss to Mundine in 2006, but also to move on to the next phase of his life after being a four-time world champion.
An expected sellout of 37,000 will be on hand to see what is expected to the popular “Green Machine” in his final fight.
“It’d be a great way to go out,” Green said. “It’s going to be a beautiful way to go out — in front of an immense stadium, packed, pumping, jumping and just stoked to see what I’m going to do.”
Green has retired before — as many boxers have — but said “never say never” and returned.
Now, at 43, he sees the fight against Mundine as a chance to right the wrongs of a decade-long feud and make his way towards the horizon.
“I’m relaxed. I’m pretty cool, pretty calm and just pumped to be here in South Australia,” Green said. “What happened back in 2006 is a distant memory because I’m moving forward and looking forward to doing the job against ‘Choc’.”
His age notwithstanding, Green said he hadn’t felt better.
He was chuffed with his preparation, which had included three testing fights, and had modified his diet to be at his best.
“I’m 43 years old and I’ve never felt better,” Green said. “I haven’t had a beer for a while, and it’s no secret I enjoy a beer.
“At this age I’ve probably never felt and looked better because my diet, I’ve given up almost all processed sugar and my beloved beer is out the window for now.
“And I train like a demon day in and day out. I live to train and feel absolutely fantastic.’’
Green is older and wiser, but also more comfortable with himself.
“Make no mistake, ‘Choc’ is an outstanding fighter,’’ Green said. “He has been an outstanding fighter. He’s been an outstanding commodity and an outstanding athlete in this country.
“We don’t see eye-to-eye but I’m the first to admit that he’s an outstanding athlete. I pay credit where credit is due.
“I respect him as an athlete but I don’t think he’s anywhere near the fighter that I am.”
Originally published as KO win great way for ‘Green Machine’ to check out