Boxing champion Fury investigated for ‘hate crime’ comments

Fury has already been reportedly stripped of his IBF belt because he has agreed to a rematch with Klitschko rather than face its challenger.

Since his victory against Wladimir Klitschko on 28 November Fury, known as Gypsy King because of his Irish traveller heritage, has caused further outrage – this time about his views on women.

The BBC reported late Tuesday that the International Boxing Federation has stripped Fury of his title less than two weeks after winning it, quoting Lindsey Tucker, championships chairman at the IBF, as saying “It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt”.

Fury, who became the WBA, WBO and IBF champion after beating Wladimir Klitschko last month, has been accused of expressing homophobic views.

The 31-year-old Glazkov, also a Ukrainian, has won 21 of his 22 professional fights. To go to Germany and win the title from Klitschko, who has been champion for 11 years, I mean that is an awesome achievement.

Pressure has been mounting on the BBC after more than 100,000 people signed a petition set up by the LGBT campaigner Scott Cuthbertson which calls for Fury to be removed from the shortlist.

Fury, a nominee for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, was criticised after claiming a woman’s place was “in the kitchen and on her back” and for saying that Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill “slaps up good”.

A BBC employee who said he was “ashamed” to work for the broadcaster as a result of the Tyson Fury scandal stands by his remarks. “He doesn’t hate anybody”.

Following his recent controversial comments about homosexuality, Greater Manchester Police are investigating allegations of a hate crime. “They try to say that I hate people and that my god teaches hate”.

Fury is expected to face Klitschko in a rematch in his next fight – easily the most profitable bout he can line-up at this point.

I first got involved in sport when I was around seven, clinging on to every word England’s footballers said as if were the law, at an age I also believed my parents when they told me Father Christmas was real.

In 2013, Fury challenged UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and now – although he has reiterated he is not interested in “taking it to the floor” – remains interested in the possibility of taking on MMA’s best under rules that promote the “striking” aspects of the sports.

“Before [Fury beat Klitschko], I would have said to you we’ll fight Tyson Fury now. What a man does in his own home and with is own people is his own problems”.