Boxing: Anthony Mundine refuses to stand for 'racist' Australian national anthem

Anthony Mundine. Photo / Getty

Anthony Mundine will continue his stance against the Australian national anthem when he fights Danny Green in Adelaide on Friday.

The indigenous boxer told the Daily Telegraph he will not stand when Advance Australia Fair is played at Adelaide Oval, leaving organisers scrambling to avoid a controversy.

"It's a racist anthem and doesn't represent our people," Mundine said. "It's disrespectful to our people. And this is close to my heart."

Mundine also said indigenous singer Jessica Mauboy had only been selected to sing the anthem "because she is black".

Stellar Magazine editor-in-chief Sarrah Le Marquand slammed the former world titlist for calling Mauboy's talent into question.

"That is highly insulting to her," Marquand told Today. "She has proven her worth over 10 years in the spotlight. She does a beautiful spot. I think she is in a very difficult position now."

Mundine made it clear in the interview he was responding to a question from a journalist and not seeking to be controversial, but his comments have been criticised as a stunt to generate interest in the fight.

"First and foremost I want to focus on the fight," Mundine said. "I'm not trying to divide people or be controversial but you've asked the question and I'm answering it honestly to tell people where I stand. We're not young and free.

"My people are still being oppressed. Nothing's changed ... the anthem isn't right. It's not for all of Australia. I just can't stand up for something I don't believe in."

Speaking on Sunrise, social commentator Prue MacSween said Mundine's argument didn't stack up. "Anthony always does a PR stunt for his fights," MacSween said. "He has a lot of form in that way ...

"He says that they are not free and that there is no opportunity for aboriginal people. We throw billions of dollars at the aboriginal industry. If the money is not filtering through, I think you need to take the argument up with the indigenous administrations that are not funnelling that money through.

"When you compare (Mundine) with the graciousness and dignity of Roger Federer, and his performance last night, you think, 'Anthony, you have so much to learn'. A lot of people will hope that Anthony cannot stand after the fight."

Politician Pauline Hanson was similarly dismissive. "Who cares what Anthony Mundine is saying?" Hanson told Sunrise.

"That is his opinion, but the fact is, we have teachers in schools who are telling kids, children, you don't have to stand for the national anthem. They're saying if you find it offensive, don't stand and leave the classroom.

"We are saying this in our classrooms. Why should we worry about what Anthony Mundine is saying? I am more concerned about what the kids are being taught in our classrooms."

Mundine's stance is not new. He called for all players participating in last year's AFL and NRL grand finals to boycott the anthem and was reportedly spotted sitting during the pre-match ceremony at a National Basketball League game in December.

Indigenous Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin described Mundine's stance as "stupid" last year while Green accused the former NRL star of copying African-American NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who infamously knelt during the US anthem at games this season.

"Personally, I think it's pretty stupid really. It's the Australian national anthem, it's a part of our sport, our history," Franklin said.

"This dingaling sees some blokes pull a stunt and he copies," Green wrote on Facebook. "Once again he doesn't come up with anything original."