Mundraby in ring return
FRED Mundraby has declared that the “old Freddy” is back with a vengeance, and the former Australian boxing champion is refusing to rule out an extended stint in the ring.
But for now the Yarrabah pugilist is not focused on the future, rather he is honing in on relishing the experience of sharing the occasion with his “little brother”.
When Mundraby ends his eightyear boxing hiatus in Townsville on December 11, it will be on the same card as Alan Patterson, a man he credits for inspiring him to reach the heights of the sport.
Patterson considers the relationship the other way around — it was Mundraby who motivated him to join the navy and “make a name” for himself after spending his teenage years largely homeless.
Now Mundraby considers the pair two sides of the same coin, making the honour of sharing the fight night card together even more exciting.
And with the duo sparring frequently in the lead up to the showcase, he said they had both developed “a kit bag of tools” and a few new tricks to unleash.
“He says I’m his role model, but I see him like a brother. It’s hard when people say you’re a role model, it feels like they’re blowing smoke up your backside but it encouraged me to lead from the forefront,” Mundraby said.
“Put it this way, when we finished at the gym we would go home hang out and go on fights, and then get into fights. It’s that real brotherly rivalry.
“He was always a bit bigger than me, so I had to either get better or keep getting bashed.
“He says I’m his role model, but he inspired me a lot when he made that transition to go to the navy.
“I would get jealous and think he’s in this or that country, overseas doing this and here I am winning titles and still stuck in Australia. I always looked up to him as well, we’re two sides to the same good story.”
Already Mundraby says he has been fielding offers from boxing promoters and managers across the country, eager to draw the former three weight division titleholder to their forthcoming cards – but he won’t be entertaining them just yet.