Green in no hurry to seek rematch
Danny Green will take his time deciding whether to seek a rematch with Anthony Mundine after his fierce points decision loss on Wednesday night.
Green plans to spend a month clearing his head after losing the world title eliminator in Sydney, while Mundine made it obvious a return bout would be cash driven.
Mundine's career would gain little from another fight with Green but after collecting a multi-million dollar purse as well as a huge slice from promoting the fight, he was blunt about his reasons for a rematch.
"Money talks you know. I am willing to fight him again," Mundine said on Sydney radio station 2UE.
But, with a patronising touch, he suggested the 33-year-old improve a bit before he is worthy.
"But I think after beating him so convincingly I feel that he has to build up a couple more fights, win a couple more fights and prove himself once again and then we can do it again," Mundine said.
Amid speculation of a rematch in Perth, Green said he plans to go home to Western Australia, spend time with family and friends and surf.
"I'll just go home and assess my future, my plans for the next month are just r and r," he said.
But after losing his chance for another shot at a world title, his international appeal could be on the wane, so his best chance of a future probably lies in more big pay days with Mundine.
Unlike Mundine, Green fronted up to the media, sun glasses covering his bruised eyes, but nothing concealing his disappointment nor newly-found respect for his conqueror.
"I'm pretty down, very disappointed," Green said.
"Choc (Mundine) was the better man than I.
"I tip my hat to him and wish him all the best in his quest for a world title against Mikkel Kessler if that's his next step.
"I'll take my loss on the chin like a man, pay him all the respect he deserves and wish him all the best for the future.
"He can definitely beat Mikkel Kessler."
After six years of sniping before they met for the first time in the most hyped fight in Australian history, Mundine and Green dispensed with the spite and delivered respect.
"He is a great fighter, he was the superior man last night," Green said.
"I tip my hat to the way Mundine and his camp was very humble and gracious in a great victory.
"We've had a very, very strong sporting rivalry.
"I never met Anthony Mundine until last night inside the boxing ring. So, personally it's hard to comment on the guy, we had a few words after the fight.
"I dare say we'll meet in the future and the first thing I'll do is put my hand out and shake his hand and I'm sure he'll reciprocate that action."
Former world champion boxer Anthony Mundine has beaten long-time rival Danny Green on a unanimous points decision in a non-title World Boxing Association (WBA) super middleweight bout. Mundine, an ex-rugby league star promoted the much-anticipated fight that attracted around 40,000 spectators and a national record for a pay-per-view television event. 

"Who's the man, who's the man?" Mundine asked the crowd after the fight. Western Australia's Danny Green (the "Machine") was defeated after 12 rounds at the Sydney Football Stadium by "the Man" Mundine. Mundine has improved his overall record to 26 wins and three losses. His victory sets up a world title bout against Denmark's Mikkel Kessler. 

After the bout Mundine praised his opponent's tenacity: "I just wanna' thank Danny for a great fight... I was starting to get loose man, Danny was starting to put a lot of pressure on me, he's got a good long jab, I had to evade that," said Mundine. "I utilized my speed to catch him and it paid dividends. I was looking for the knockout, I caught him with a few great shots, and he can take a great punch. He put up a good performance. He come around, he come prepared - I was the better man tonight Dan, thank you very much. We can do it again maybe, soon." 

Green agreed that Mundine fought the better fight. "He just beat me fair and square. I have no excuses at all, I trained unbelievable, my preparation was great... Anthony was the better man tonight," said Green.

The WBA fight consolidated six years of taunts and hyperbole to settle a long-running feud between the men and their supporters. According to media reports the battle was personal from the outset with Mundine's mother Lyn yelling at her son from ringside to "Knock him out Choc, shut him up my baby". 

Sports media commentators reported that the pace remained hectic in the first four rounds as Mundine stood firm and used his jab as Green mixed his trademark "power punches." As the fight wore on, Mundine appeared in greater control and in better condition. However, Mundine did end up on the canvas in the seventh round, after being pushed through the ropes by Green. 

Throughout the fight, Green's power punches "missed, missed and missed again". In the final "ferocious" round, Mundine rocked Green with a combination to the head, taunting Green to "Come on." Green attempted plenty of combinations, but Mundine's speed caused problems. After 12 rounds, Judge Pinit Prayadsab from Thailand gave the fight to Mundine 118-11, South Korean Michael Lee scored it 116-113 and Australian Derek Milham had it 118-112.

Australian newspapers report that the appreciative crowd included corporate CEOs, former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, bikie gangs, peroxide blondes and rugby league players. Referee Terry O'Connor described the event as a fight Australia can be proud of. "They both gave their all, it was a great fight." He described the atmosphere at Aussie Stadium as "fantastic" "It was the greatest fight I have refereed, it was brilliant," O'Connor said. 

The "Man v Machine" event fight, promoted by Mundine's Boxa International and the "Green Machine" promoters is believed to have beeen the "biggest boxing match in Australian history", grossing an estimated $20 million. Each boxer is reported to be earning a seven-figure sum, while spectators have paid up to A$1000 for a seat at the bout. Foxtel reported record sales for their exclusive pay-per-view event, claiming that subscriptions outsold the Lennox Lewis v Mike Tyson heavyweight bout. Heavy betting ensued with one punter laying a $500,000 bet on Mundine to take the honours.

Of his upcoming bout with Denmark's Mikkel Kessler, Mundine said: "It was a close fight last time. I think he's the best fighter out there, but I've shown I can match it with him. I'm ready."