Anthony Mundine faces the media over his remarks. Picture: BRETT COSTELLO
CONTROVERSIAL boxer Anthony Mundine has apologised for offending Tasmanian Aborigines but stopped short of saying sorry to Tasmania's world champion Daniel Geale.
Mundine held a press conference after widespread condemnation over his comments on Thursday that he thought all Tasmanian Aborigines had been wiped out, and questioned Geale's Aboriginal heritage.
He also said: "He's got a white woman, white kids."
Yesterday he said he had not meant to cause harm.
"I'd like to apologise if my comments have offended some Aborigines in Tasmania," Mundine said.
"I know there are a lot of Aborigines in Tasmania that are proud of their heritage, just like me.
"My comments weren't directed at anybody but the system that in my opinion doesn't reflect the first, second or third-generation Aboriginals."
Geale, a double world champion, said he was not surprised Mundine stopped short of a direct apology. He said his wife was insulted by the comments.
"When he didn't come through with the apology, I wasn't surprised at all," he told Fox Sports. "It just goes to show what sort of bloke the guy is. He made some statements today which I believe didn't really help.
" He just changed the topic."
The pair will fight in January for Geale's IBF middleweight title. At the promotional event Mundine had questioned Geale's heritage.
"I thought they wiped all the Aborigines from Tasmania out, that's all I know," Mundine said. "I don't see [Geale] representing us black people or coloured people. I don't see him out in the community doing what I do with people."
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre legal director Michael Mansell said the comments about Tasmanian Aborigines having been wiped out were ugly and racist and an embarrassment to Aboriginal people.
"Racist comments such as those made by Anthony Mundine have no place in Australia," he said.
"Mr Mundine must be relying on history books written by whites 100 years ago to form his opinion.
"The theory in those days was that any inter-marriage between Aborigines and whites led to an 'impurity' of race and thereby extinction."
"Imagine if a white person came out and said that. It's not less hurtful that it was made by a black person and no less racist."
He said he appreciated that Mundine had shifted a little by coming out and making the apology yesterday afternoon, but that he must have deep-seated prejudice.
"He would do well to sign himself up to learn some basics about human rights and what makes up a person's cultural identity."
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