Boxing: Mundine apologises for 9/11 comments

Anthony Mundine has made a public apology in the United States for heartache caused by his comments about 9/11. Photo / Getty images.

Anthony Mundine has made a public apology in the United States for heartache caused by his comments about 9/11.

Mundine, who will have his first fight in America on Sunday (NZT) against former WBO light middleweight champion Bronco McKart, used the pre-fight media conference in Las Vegas to say sorry for the remarks he made almost 11 years ago.

"I just wanted to clarify something that happened a decade or so ago about my comments on America, which wasn't directed at the American people," Mundine said.

"Firstly, I would like to say I'm sorry for all the heartache I caused to the loved ones of those lost on September 11.

"I'm sorry that people still have sisters, daughters, sons, fathers and mothers still abroad and in dangerous situations every day.

"No good ever comes out of war - only misery."

"It exposes innocent lives to danger unnecessarily.

"I'm also sorry that what I said was manipulated out of context by the media and journos doing their best to tarnish my image, trying to portray me as a bad human being, rather than associate the Mundine name with peace, charity, community and love."

Mundine was quoted in October 2001 as saying of the 9/11 attacks on New York's twin towers: "They call it an act of terrorism, but if you can understand religion, and our way of life, it's not about terrorism. It's about fighting for God's law, and America's brought it upon themselves."

He was heckled about it while training in a Las Vegas gym this week.

Speaking to AAP after the media conference on Thursday (Friday AEST), Mundine said he felt better for clearing the air publicly.

"I got a lot of things off my chest that I wanted to get off and I feel a lot better now and it was good that I done it here on their soil," Mundine said.

A Korean War veteran who attended the media conference thanked Mundine for his words.

"I think I can probably speak for a lot of Americans - we were waiting for you to make a comment like that - and I sincerely, sincerely appreciate it," the veteran said.

McKart said he also appreciated Mundine's words.

AAP aw/nh/ajw

-AAP