Mundine still using his mouth

Mundine is one fight away from being world champion

BBC Sport Online's Sanjeev Shetty charts the progress of Anthony Mundine, the rugby league star who became a boxer.

Anthony Mundine was always likely to be as controversial in the ring as he was on the rugby league field.

The 26-year-old has so far made rapid progress in his short boxing career, and is poised for a world title challenge at the start of December.

But just as he made headlines for his ability to infuriate people when he was a rugby league star, he has done much the same of late.

America's brought it upon themselves (for) what they've done in the history of time

Mundine on the attacks in New York

The Muslim convert has voiced his opinion on the terrorist attacks in New York on 11 September.

"They call it an act of terrorism but if you can understand religion and our way of life, it's not about terrorism," said the Australian.

"It's about fighting for God's laws, and America's brought it upon themselves (for) what they've done in the history of time."

Whether Mundine will stand by his remarks in the weeks to come is open to question, but the words will bring him the kind of publicity that he thrives on.

Accused

Mundine, formerly a rugby five-eighth or stand off, left his first sport because of what he perceived as racism which prevented him from representing his country.

But the sportsman has earned a reputation for always having an opinion on something, whether it is his opponents or his team-mates.

Mundine has never been one to stay out of the limelight

In 1998, he accused Canterbury forward Barry Ward of racism, while two years later he described fellow five-eighth Laurie Daley as "running on old legs."

He left his club side St George Illawarra in May 2000 claiming that boxing had always been one of his great loves.

The sport played a part in his childhood, with father Tony a former Commonwealth champion who lost to former world champions Luis Rodriguez and Carlos Monzon.

Campaigning as a super-middleweight, Mundine debuted on 3 July 2000 with a fourth round stoppage of New Zealand's champion Gerrard Zohs.

Worrying

Eight fights later, Mundine has put himself in a position where he can challenge German Sven Ottke for the International Boxing Federation Super-middleweight title.

While much of his opposition has been ordinary, he holds wins over Guy Waters, a former world title contender and the ageing but cagey former welterweight Kevin Pompey.

The most worrying fight of his career to date saw him win a controversial split decision over Sam Soliman in September.

According to many observers, Mundine was lucky to get the decision against a man who had been comprehensively outpointed by Britain's Howard Eastman.

But credit must be given to Mundine for his willingness to fight regularly and against more difficult opposition with each contest.

It appears the title shot may come a little too soon for him, but he is sure to be a player in the boxing world for years to come.