Former world champion Anthony Mundine is following in the footsteps of Amir Khan - as the boxer has signed on to make his debut on the "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" reality show.
While Khan and other contestants had to live in the Australian jungle, Mundine will have to get through some tough challenges in the South African jungle.
In an explosive interview with the Daily Telegraph, the 42-year-old, who converted to Islam in 1999, has condemned abortion, contraception, and homosexuality, while voicing support for polygamy.
Mundine, who is rumoured to have fathered seven children to four different women according to the Daily Telegraph, also said that he doesn't believe in contraception, and that abortion is a 'big no-no' and says there is nothing that prevents him from having multiple women.
"You can have up to four wives done justly," he said, crediting both his Islamic faith and 'aboriginal culture' for allowing such a thing.
On the subject of homosexuality, Mundine said yet again that his Islamic faith is against it.
"That is what the creator (Allah) has set," Mundine said. 'These are his perimeters, not mine, and I follow them. My biggest fear is Allah and if Allah prohibits it, then it's wrong."
"I was always taught that two genders together is natural; it's what's meant to be. Male and male, or female and female, is just confusing to society.
"That's their prerogative, all I can is warn them. I always tell my gay friend, 'You've got to find a lady ... God will judge you, not me."
The outspoken athlete plans to follow his devout Muslim beliefs while on I'm a Celeb, which includes praying five times a day and only eating halal food.
He hopes to change his image and how people view him, by letting his personality flow on the show.
"The media have made me out to be a villain," Mundine.
"People mistake my confidence for arrogance. I'm actually quite a shy, humble person. I treat people the way I want to be treated, and I hope Australians get to see that side of me in the jungle."
Mundine was under fire last week, after verbally criticizing his countryman, WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn. He said Horn was getting a lot of press because of his white skin color.
The Sydney-born Aboriginal has made countless headlines for his controversial comments over the years, most notably in 2001 regarding the 9/11 terror attacks.
At the time, he said: '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 later apologised for the remarks, claiming that they were taken out of context and clarifying that he was simply trying to make an anti-war statement that was then misconstrued.
2023-10-20 09:45:25
