Why former Australian boxing star Anthony Mundine DOESN'T want his son stepping into the ring

Former world champion boxer Anthony Mundine has surprisingly declared he doesn’t want his son to follow his footsteps into the ring. 

Rahim Mundine, 20, will make his professional boxing debut on the undercard of the heavyweight bout between cross-code athlete Sonny Bill Williams and AFL great Barry Hall in Sydney on March 23.

And just like his grandfather Tony, who boxed mainly in the 1970s, and his dad Anthony after he retired from rugby league in 2000, Rahim is set to chase his own slice of boxing glory. 

‘If I had my way, I wouldn’t want him to do it,’ Anthony Mundine said.

‘It’s a gruelling sport and a hard sport. But you can’t deny their passions.’ 

Former world champion boxer Anthony Mundine has surprisingly declared he doesn’t want his son Rahim (pictured left) to follow his footsteps into the ring

Rahim Mundine, 20, will make his professional boxing debut on the undercard of the heavyweight bout between Sonny Bill Williams and Barry Hall in Sydney on March 23

Rahim Mundine has some big shoes to fill – his father Anthony (pictured) and grandfather Tony were both talented boxers

Having accepted Rahim’s desired sporting career path, ‘Choc’ Mundine wants to see his boy emulate or better his glittering career achievements. 

Well aware he has some monumental shoes to fill, Rahim, who plays rugby league in the lower grades for the Wests Tigers, is determined to remain composed.    

‘For some others it might be hard, but this is all I know,’ he told Channel 9.

‘I know what the big lights are. I’ve been around them my whole life, so nothing new, really. There are probably expectations… and pressure, but pressure makes diamonds.’

And the rising star – just like his old man – has given himself a nickname – ‘The Dream’.

In March last year, Mundine, 46, officially announced his retirement from professional boxing.

A polarising figure, ‘The Man’ achieved sporting greatness as the highest-paid player in the NRL in the 1990s before winning multiple world championships in the ring.

He incensed many Australians for more than two decades with his trash talking and divisive comments about rivals and the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US. 

At the time, Mundine said America had ‘brought it upon themselves’ following the attacks in 2001 – but two decades later at his retirement press conference said the comments were ‘dumb’.

‘Taking one human life is like taking the whole of humanity to me,’ he said. 

Anthony Mundine shocked the rugby league world in 2000 when he quit the sport to become a professional boxer (pictured with his father Tony)

Despite many detractors, Mundine (pictured right) became a world champion in 2003 when he beat American Antwun Echols to snare the vacant WBA Super Middleweight title

‘I feel like I was crucified for that – probably rightly so.

‘If I offended anybody in my career, honestly, I’m sincerely sorry. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. I’m a changed man, I’m a different type of cat.’

After sensationally walking away from rugby league in 2000, Mundine declared his desire to be a professional boxer.

Despite many detractors, he became a world champion just three years later when he beat American Antwun Echols to snare the vacant WBA Super Middleweight title.

He then went onto forge an impressive career, with his two fights against fellow Australian Danny Green attracting record interest with huge audiences.