MORE: 'The Man' Mundine KO'd by Hatley | Video: Former AFL star viciously knocked out in boxing debut
That was never more obvious than at the Melbourne Convention Center on Wednesday night when "The Man" was thoroughly outboxed, overpowered and outshone by a relative lightweight, Charles Hatley.
The fight was essentially over after the second round when Mundine hit the canvas three times and barely managed to survive to the bell.
Mundine in serious trouble after THREE knockdowns! https://t.co/rgQVHF4y8M #MundineHatley pic.twitter.com/dVPHdtZzE8
— Sportal (@SportalAU) November 11, 2015Only his courage to keep getting up at the start of every round kept him in it.
No matter what you say about him, he has a ton of heart. Even with a bloody left eye and welts appearing all over his face he charged in, looking for the knockout that would be his only chance of victory.
There was hope in the 10th when a nice right hand sent Hatley to the mat, but it didn't last long.
In the 11th, after another brutal knockdown, Mundine's corner mercifully threw in the towel.
It's all over! Mundine loses. Ref stops it as the towel is thrown in. https://t.co/rgQVHF4y8M #MundineHatley pic.twitter.com/irTQVMACOR
— Sportal (@SportalAU) November 11, 2015Mundine was tight-lipped about his future after the loss, saying he'd need to take some time out to assess his options.
He didn't announce his retirement, but he didn't rule it out either.
"It could be (his last fight) who knows, we'll sit down think about it and see what happens," he said.
Mundine is knocked to the canvas by Charles Hatley (Source: Getty Images)
The big money fights against the likes of Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez were always a long shot for Mundine, but now there's no chance.
But a rematch against his old nemesis Danny Green could still be on the cards.
"Who knows, we'll see what happens," Mundine said of a potential rematch with Green.
"If the deal is right I'll probably be a lot better at a heavier weight – not too heavy.
"But if I took that fight up I'll be right mentally and physically through the preparation.
"There were a lot of injuries I had and I didn't spar like I wanted to spar or prepare like I wanted to.
"I had tendonitis in my elbow but no excuses. I did my best and that's all I gotta do.
At 40, Mundine has made a small fortune from boxing.
He's won world titles at numerous weight levels and had a decent attempt at cracking the world stage.
His bank account and legacy in the sport in Australia are assured.
There's absolutely no need for Mundine-Green II.
It would be a sad money grabbing spectacle at best and a serious danger to both men's health at worse.