Mundine says he will not stand during the anthem at Friday night’s re-match between the pair, prompting event organisers to consider playing Advance Australia Fair before the boxers take to the ring in Adelaide to avoid controversy.   

“I’ll be standing and singing the anthem,’’ Green said. “If he wants to sit down that’s up to him.

“I don’t have enough of an emotional investment in Anthony Mundine to be affected by anything he says.

“Choc’s an Indigenous man and if he feels so passionately and strongly about the issue then that’s his prerogative, that’s his choice.’’

Mundine said it was not his intention to divide Australians, but he felt a responsibility to speak up for the indigenous community.

“Look I just want to explain to the people of Australia I’m all about uniting people together, uniting our country together but do your research on the anthem — (it says) we’re young and free,” Mundine said.  

“We’re not young and a lot of us ain’t free. Advance Australia Fair is about white ‘fair’ — not as in a fair go — that was the theme song for a White Australia policy when Aboriginal people weren’t even considered citizens. It’s not just.

“Personally I don’t think the anthem is just for me and my ancestors, I would like to see it changed for the better for Australian society.”