Retired Olympic champion turned boxing professional Danny Green has an impressive history of achievement. After winning numerous state titles in Western Australia, the ‘Green Machine’ moved into training for the Commonwealth and Olympic Games and later accepted an offer to turn professional. Though he lost his 2006 match against Anthony Mundine, the fight initiated his move up to the next weight class and he welcomed the move by winning against WBA champion Stipe Drews. Retired from the ring, Danny has demonstrated his talents further as a TV personlaity and 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant.
While Green displayed a frightening ferocity and explosiveness in the ring, he remained affable and easygoing outside of it.
Danny started boxing in a back shed in suburban Koondoola and it was there he began his journey to reach the top. His strong work ethic allied with his resilience to pain set the footings for an illustrious career. He was gifted with "sleeping pills" in both hands and blessed with a natural instinct for fighting.
He achieved his goals as an amateur by winning various state, national and oceanic titles and competing in the 1998 Commonwealth Games before reaching the pinnacle of his amateur career - fighting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Green turned professional under former three time world champion Jeff Fenech and demolished all in front him winning his first 16 fights by KO. He was controversially disqualified in his next bout in Germany, his 2003 shot at the WBC super-middleweight crown against Markus Beyer. He overcame the disappointment to destroy former champ, Canada's Eric Lucas in Montreal for the WBC interim super middleweight world title in 6 rounds. Green lost the world title in an agonisingly close points decision in his rematch with Beyer in 2005.
He returned to Australia determined to regain the crown. Green formed a new team, continued walking tall and set up the fight that stopped a nation against the outspoken Anthony Mundine. This fight turned out to be the biggest fight ever in Australian history and the highest grossing fight in the super middleweight division in world boxing history. Unfortunately, Green lost on points but he won many new fans with the dignified and respectful manner in which he accepted defeat.
Green's resilience and his self belief shone through again when he made the long, overdue jump in weight to the light heavy division. He knocked out three top 15 world ranked opponents to set up his dream fight- the WBA light heavyweight world title in his backyard- Perth. In what was his most clinical display, Green dominated the champion Stipe Drews to claim the title and to once again enter the history books. Adding to the euphoria six days later was the birth of his son Archie, joining his sister Chloe.
With the world at his feet Green rocked the Australian public by retiring as world champion - just like that. Green was in the prime of his life, at the peak of his career but he woke up on Easter Sunday 2008, rang his family, called a press conference and shocked everyone!
Part of Green's appeal is his eloquence, and his ability to articulate about the paths in life he has taken; the heartbreaking setbacks he has overcome and the almighty sacrifices he has made to become a world champion in the most brutal of sports.
Danny Green has been on an incredible journey. He has some amazing stories to tell - including being locked in a cage with six lions and surfing alongside a shark.
Green is happy to share his experiences which will eave you feeling inspired, perhaps humbled or ready to don the gloves!
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Danny was brilliant in every way. He talked well – passionate yet insightful. He is a motivator and inspiration to all. Everyone loved him. He talked for 1 ½ hours and everyone was totally captivated. Danny was extremely generous with his time and stayed afterwards.
West Midlands Group