Rahim Mundine Vows to Be ‘Bigger’ Than Tszyu Brothers as He Chases World Title Dream

Key facts

• Rahim ‘CJ’ Mundine, 24, is 2-0 as a professional boxer.
• He faces Lance ‘G-Banger’ McDonald in a five-round bout on the undercard of Nikita Tszyu vs. Oscar Diaz in Newcastle on Wednesday night.
• Mundine Jr. said he aims to become ‘the greatest Son of Gun in Australian boxing’ and ‘bigger’ than Tim and Nikita Tszyu.
• He called out Michael Zerafa, who knocked out Anthony Mundine in 2021 in what was the father’s final fight.
• Zerafa dismissed the fight as ‘miles apart’, noting he is ranked top 10 in the world while Mundine Jr. is ranked around 900.
• Zerafa is in negotiations to fight Chris Eubank Jr. in Melbourne later this year.
• Mundine Jr. is the third generation of his family to box, following his father Anthony and grandfather Tony.

A Quiet Heir With Loud Ambitions

Rahim Mundine does not speak as loudly as his father, Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine, nor does he fill a reporter’s notebook with the same torrent of words. But the 24-year-old possesses the same unshakable confidence. When asked this week whether he could surpass the Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita, as Australia’s biggest boxing draw, he grinned and replied: ‘Oh, for sure … if not bigger.’ Mundine, who fights under the nickname ‘CJ’, is just two wins into his professional career. Yet he is already vowing to steal the show on Wednesday night’s Main Event pay-per-view, where Nikita Tszyu headlines against undefeated Spaniard Oscar Diaz at Newcastle’s entertainment centre.

The Weight of a Surname

Mundine acknowledges that his surname — made famous by his father, a former world champion, and his grandfather, Tony — is a double-edged sword. ‘While there are obviously pros and cons, it really is a blessing,’ he told Fox Sports Australia. ‘My name, it puts the eyeballs and bright lights on me.’ That name has already drawn attention to his second professional fight, a five-round clash against Queenslander Lance McDonald, better known as ‘G-Banger’ for his habit of wearing a G-string to weigh-ins. At Monday’s press conference, McDonald stripped down, prompting a warning for the crowd to ‘avert your eyes’. The spectacle underscored the carnival atmosphere surrounding the undercard, but Mundine insists the bout is a serious step toward his world title ambitions.

A Grudge That Refuses to Fade

Mundine has not forgotten the way Michael Zerafa celebrated after knocking out his father in 2021. Zerafa needed less than a round to finish Anthony Mundine, then 45 and coming off consecutive defeats to Jeff Horn and John Wayne Parr. The victory ended the elder Mundine’s career, and Zerafa’s exuberant reaction still rankles the son. ‘These guys like Zerafa, Jeff Horn — they were celebrating like they had won against a prime Mundine,’ Rahim told News Corp. ‘That rubbed me the wrong way, to be honest.’ He has doubled down on a challenge to Zerafa, saying he remains ‘pissed off’ by the way the Melbourne fighter celebrated.

Zerafa Dismisses the Challenge

Michael Zerafa, however, sees little chance of a fight materialising. The 34-year-old, a former world title challenger currently ranked in the top 10 of the middleweight division, pointed to the gulf in experience between the two. ‘I respect the Mundines, it's a legendary name in Australia,’ Zerafa told Wide World of Sports. ‘But in terms of where he's at and where I'm at, it's miles apart. I feel if he gets to wherever I'm at, I'll be well and truly done. He's only two fights in. I think he's ranked like 900 in the world. I'm sitting top 10 in the world. There's a huge margin between us.’ Zerafa, who is still facing online criticism for his no-contest against Tim Tszyu earlier this year, is currently in negotiations to fight Chris Eubank Jr. in Melbourne later this year. He emphasised that he understands the boxing game and will not take the Mundines’ comments personally.

A Third-Generation Boxer’s Path Forward

Rahim Mundine is the third generation of his family to pursue professional boxing, following his father Anthony and grandfather Tony. Despite his limited experience, he has already set his sights on world titles and even mentioned Danny Green’s son as a potential future opponent. For now, his immediate focus is on McDonald, a fighter whose notoriety stems more from his weigh-in antics than his ring record. Mundine is convinced that Wednesday’s fight will be another step in continuing the family legacy. ‘My name, it puts the eyeballs and bright lights on me,’ he said. But whether he can translate that attention into sustained success remains an open question, one that will be tested as he climbs the rankings from his current position near the bottom.

The Night’s Main Event and the Bigger Picture

Wednesday’s card is headlined by Nikita Tszyu, who continues his rise against undefeated Spaniard Oscar Diaz. The bout is a crucial test for Tszyu, who is building his own reputation separate from his brother Tim’s. For Mundine, sharing the bill with Tszyu is an opportunity to prove he belongs on the big stage. Yet the disparity in experience between Mundine and the fighters he aspires to challenge — whether Zerafa, the Tszyus, or others — is vast. Zerafa’s dismissal of a potential fight underscores the long road ahead. Mundine may have the name and the confidence, but he has yet to show he can back it up against elite opposition.

Legacy, Grudges, and the Long Game

Rahim Mundine’s story is still in its early chapters. He carries the weight of a famous surname, the bitterness of his father’s career-ending defeat, and the audacity to dream of surpassing the Tszyu brothers. Whether he can turn that ambition into reality will depend on his performances in the ring, not just his words outside it. For now, he is content to let his name draw the spotlight. ‘It really is a blessing,’ he said. But in boxing, blessings only carry a fighter so far. The rest must be earned, one fight at a time.

The bottom line

• Rahim Mundine, 24, is 2-0 as a pro and faces Lance McDonald on the Nikita Tszyu undercard.
• He aims to become a world champion and says his surname is a ‘blessing’ that brings attention.
• Mundine has called out Michael Zerafa, who knocked out his father in 2021.
• Zerafa dismissed the fight as unrealistic, citing a huge gap in rankings and experience.
• Zerafa is negotiating a bout with Chris Eubank Jr. in Melbourne later this year.
• Mundine is the third generation of his family to box, following his father Anthony and grandfather Tony.