‘Anti-gay’ boxer Tyson Fury says he doesn’t want Sports Personality of the Year award
Boxing champ Tyson Fury says he doesn’t want to win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
Fury, who became the heavyweight champ last month, has attracted attention in recent weeks for his anti-gay views, after claiming homosexuality will bring about the end of times.
The boxer has denied having anti-gay views, but back in 2013 he was fined by £3000 by the British Boxing Board of Control for calling Lennox Lewis “100% homosexual”.
Despite his views, Fury has controversially nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award – attracting criticism from both Commons leader Chris Grayling and Labour shadow minister Chris Bryant.
However, after a petition calling for his nomination to be dropped, Fury has taken to Twitter – to claim he doesn’t want the award anyway.
The boxer wrote: “Hopefully I don’t win @BBCSPOTY as I’m not the best roll model in the world for the kids, give it to someone who would appreciate it [prayer emojis].”
However, he also added: “I’ve got more personality than all the other competitors put together in this years @BBCSPOTY who can compete with my sporting achievement!
“The Gypsy King, & the heavyweight champion of the world, will not be silenced I’ll always speak my mind, Like it or lump it, in Jesus name.”
Despite his comments, the BBC says it will not alter the nominations.
A spokesperson said: “The Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual’s sporting achievement – it is not an endorsement of an individual’s personal beliefs either by the BBC or members of the panel.”
