Boxers Anthony Mundine and Garth Wood engaged in a heated exchange on Fox Sports News Long Lunch, verbally sparring after allegations surfaced regarding Wood’s use of performance-enhancing drugs.
While promoting their upcoming bout on December 8 at Acer Arena in Sydney, the interview initially flowed smoothly until Wood confronted Mundine about the allegations, which Wood claimed originated from Mundine’s camp.
As Mundine discussed his intentions to relocate to the United States following the fight, Wood decided to provoke him.
“I wasn’t planning to say much and prefer to keep things close to my chest, but it’s amusing how your camp isn’t quite so top secret – someone has informed me that you’ve been running your mouth, calling me a drug cheat,” Wood stated.
“In everything I’ve done over the past two years, it has solely been me. I stand on my own two feet, and you being ‘The Man’, I just want to ask, did you say (Wood used performance-enhancing drugs)?”
Mundine, taken aback by Wood’s abrupt shift in demeanor, firmly defended his team.
“I’ll speak directly to you, I don’t know who’s spreading these stories,” Mundine asserted.
“I’ve told my management that fighters will resort to any means to try to defeat me. I’m not claiming you’re a drug cheat, nor am I labeling fighters I’ve faced in the past as drug cheats.
“I simply want a sport that is clean.”
Garth Wood, who secured his chance to fight Mundine by winning The Contender television series, appeared visibly disturbed by the allegations and will undoubtedly use the intense exchange as motivation for their December 8 matchup.
