Tensions ran high as middleweight Anthony Mundine and his conqueror Garth Woods were restrained from making an early start to Wednesday night's boxing rematch. Riled after being called a dirty fighter by Mundine during Tuesday's final media conference, Wood gave into temptation when they stood eye to eye posing for photos at the weigh in and appeared to headbutt the chatty ex-NRL player.

Mundine held an angry Wood by the throat during a shoving match that only ended when support staff jumped in. When the dust settled, Mundine would not contemplate defeat on Wednesday night and was adamant he would be heading overseas to further his career afterwards. Mundine suffered a shock, fifth-round knockout by Wood in their previous bout last December. It was Wood's reward for winning the Australian version of The Contender boxing TV reality program in 2010. He remains the only Australian to have beaten the 35-year-old Mundine.