Anthony Mundine hits back at critics of new bare-knuckle boxing league
The former world boxing champion is behind World Bare Knuckle Fighting (WBKF), a concept barred by authorities last month in Perth but now set to launch in Brisbane later this year.
Ben Horn, the younger brother of former world champion Jeff with a 6-9 professional boxing record, is set to headline the September show at Logan Metro Sports and Events Centre that will be streamed online.
Last month the Western Australian government's decision to allow US organisation Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to host an event was overruled by the state's combat sports authority.
The Mundine production's application for a Sydney event remains under review by NSW's equivalent body.
In the meantime, he's confirmed a Queensland debut, where they've received the green light from relevant parties and will have veteran ringside doctor Lou Lewis on duty.
'Everyone's going to have an opinion, right or wrong,' 50-year-old Mundine, who excelled in rugby league before switching to the ring, told AAP.
'I just want the people to embrace the first show and come back to me after that.
'It's going to be fair and professional with rules around it ... they're going to love it.'
Mundine's camp argue that, while bloodier, there is less risk of brain trauma due to fewer repeated blows to the head than traditional boxing.
Weight classes will also be wider so fighters aren't sacrificing durability to make weight.
Mundine thinks WBKF can grow to rival the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which has exploded in popularity in Australian and been staged in both Perth and Sydney.
''Especially Australians; everyone loves a scrap,' he said.
'It doesn't matter what sporting event you're at ... if there's a scrap in the crowd, everyone's looking at the scrap, rather than the game.
'It's the purest form of fighting, since day dot.'
The Perth event, planned for July, was blocked after advice from the Australian Medical Association's WA state president, Michael Page.
'Turning the act of bare-knuckle fighting into a 'sport' sets an incredibly bad example for children and adults alike,' he said.
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