![\"Riley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/5d6ac87e63f87d0058db7b48a7712ceadef9a7945847368cf6a1fc9b2793838c.png\")
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September 5, 2026 \u2014 3:06pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Warning: This story contains images and the name of a deceased Indigenous person.<\/p>\n To the boxing world, Anthony \u201cTony\u201d William Mundine was a champion without peer.<\/p>\n As the only fighter to hold Australian titles across four weight divisions \u2014 middleweight, light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight \u2014 Mundine occupied rare air.<\/p>\n But to his loved ones, he was much more: he was a pillar of strength; an example of how to live; a devoted father; a doting grandfather; and a patriarch at the centre of his family\u2019s universe.<\/p>\n Hundreds gathered on Saturday at Redfern Oval, the home of Mundine\u2019s beloved Redfern All Blacks rugby league club, to farewell the 75-year-old, who died on Sunday<\/a> from a heart attack.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of you know him as Tony Mundine the boxer. We know him as Tony Mundine the man: the husband; the father; the brother; the pop; the uncle; and the friend,\u201d Mundine\u2019s nephew, Craig Madden said.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Tony was the backbone of our family. Steady, loyal, always there when we needed him.\u201d<\/p>\n Mundine was remembered on Saturday as not only a trailblazing athlete, but a mentor for Indigenous youth; it was outside the ring that Mundine had the greatest impact on his community.<\/p>\n \u201cHe built sanctuaries of hope for generations of community and young people, especially Aboriginal youth seeking direction, safe housing, or a second chance,\u201d said another of Mundine\u2019s nephews, Matthew Mundine.<\/p>\n \u201cAbove all his titles and accolades, Tony\u2019s heart belonged entirely to his family, culture and community.\u201d<\/p>\n Mundine\u2019s son Anthony, the former world boxing champion, recalled the kindness his father showed those battling substance abuse and homelessness during trips to Kings Cross in the 1980s.<\/p>\n \u201cThey all loved him,\u201d he said. \u201cThe admiration and respect they gave this man, I was in awe.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnny Lewis, the legendary boxing trainer, said Mundine was considered the greatest Australian fighter to have never won a world championship.<\/p>\n \u201cTo me, he was a world champion,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cWe\u2019re very, very lucky to have someone as good in the ring and out of the ring as Tony Mundine.\u201d<\/p>\n The large crowd gathered at Mundine\u2019s funeral was testament to his impact on the Redfern community.<\/p>\n The suburb, where he and his brother Mick Mundine first arrived from Grafton in the 1960s, houses the Elouera Tony Mundine Boxing Gym \u2013 opened in 1985 in The Block, Redfern\u2019s historic Indigenous neighbourhood before being relocated during the redevelopment of the estate.<\/p>\n Related Article Up the street from Mundine\u2019s boxing gym is Cafe Abercrombie where he would drink a honey-infused cup of tea every Friday. It closed on Saturday as a sign of respect.<\/p>\n Friends recall starstruck admirers cautiously approaching Mundine at the cafe for a photograph. They were met with endless generosity and kindness. There, like other places Mundine spent time, he was simply Uncle Tony.<\/p>\n As mourners said their goodbyes on Saturday, Mundine\u2019s casket snaked its way through the streets of the suburb his life and legacy was built upon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made sure we brought Dad back here to Redfern where it all started,\u201d Mundine\u2019s daughter, Kelly Mundine said.<\/p>\n Among his final stops was The Block and his beloved boxing gym, where a bouquet was placed on the door before Tony Mundine left Redfern for the last time.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Anthony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4bd5ade8b88a3e2794750b415ff39831b124bb62.jpeg\")
Anthony \u201cTony\u201d William Mundine\u2019s casket leaves Redfern Oval on Saturday.James Brickwood<\/p>\n![\"Tony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1ee13518b8b720218e921b1f3601ec54d622377f.jpeg\")
Tony Mundine during a 1973 training session.Keith Edward Byron\/Fairfax Media<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1c17fbad1f3a9265d3cdc6323909e5d6c60ecb85.jpeg\")
A victorious Mundine in 1972.Martin Brannan![\"Mundine](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bb5e587ff28b8a78e7881a468f9827e3dfe7da59.jpeg\")
Mundine playing for the Redfern All Blacks in 1975.Keith Edward Byron\/Fairfax Media<\/p>\n![\"Tony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/7ef24811bbae0ca95731eff3d5e1a6d0547434a4.jpeg\")
Tony Mundine and son Anthony Mundine at the Elouera Tony Mundine Boxing Gym in 2016.Louise Kennerley<\/p>\n![\"Tony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/8d31f64760666b69b52a8c949a1341c7c166776ee251894416f9cd7012705e4f.gif\")
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