Dariusz was spending more time promoting his book and clubbing than training in the gym so his shape wasn't so good. He was declining much before the Gonzalez and Tiozzo fights, he already looked avarege against Hall and Harmon
IF Mundine had the balls to fight Bute he'd beat him via wide UD IMO. But he'd prefere to waste his ability fighting cab drivers, quite sad really.
I remember that fight very well. The funniest thing was the count. The referee was so confused because the unexpected happened that he gave a full count for a guy who just a corpse. atsch
If any of you visit Australia, you would be amazed at the Mundine love. They think he is Marvin Hagler over here. I wish I was joking.
Mundine DID get ktfo. But he's also 3 times the fighter today than he was back then. I'd honestly tip Mundine to win by a very wide UD against Bute; possibly late stoppage depending on how Bute's chin holds up. Not that Mundine is a very powerful puncher, but his speed and sharpness in his punches will be landing CLEAN, FLUSH punches. It's different to a power puncher, similar to a Roy Jones I suppose. When Mundine DOES choose to fight a big challenge, he spends a lot more time in preparation and fights a helluva lot better, e.g. the Mundine that LOST to Kessler would of EASILLY beat Siaca.
DM should not fight again. He was declining even before his last fight although he still kept winning, and he was completely shot when he fought Tiozzo. And now he is 3 years older (and he looks like someone 10 years older). One may say Ottke retired even earlier than DM, but that is not the main difference. Ottke retired before he got completely shot, and although I don't know much about him I can almost bet his lifestyle is much healthier than that of DM. I don't think figting at cruiserweight would give any advantage to DM - he looks so washed up Ottke should easily decision him at any weight. Only good thing for DM is that Ottke is not a puncher so at least this fight is much safer compared to other possibilities like DM-Hill or even DM-Rocchigiani (although Dariusz would stand a good chance in the last one, since I am not sure who is more shot).
Btw, Ottke said he will only make this fight if there is a weigh-in 1 hour before the fight with 185 lbs being the limit. It would be funny if Ottke could KO DM in the same style he KOed Mundine...