Tyson Fury under police investigation after hate crime accusation

Fury was to have defended his title against IBF’s mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov but has instead opted to have a rematch with Klitschko.

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.

Speaking about the decision to strip Fury of his title belt, Lindsey Tucker, championships chairman at the IBF, told BBC Sport: “It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt”.

Boxing: Dethroned boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has demanded a rematch with Tyson Fury which likely to take place at Wembley.

The 31-year-old Ukrainian Glazkov has a 21-1 record.

Boxer Tyson Fury is at the centre of a “hate crime” police probe over his alleged anti-gay rant.

Clive Myrie made the remark about the new world heavyweight champion during a late night newspaper review on the BBC News channel. “He doesn’t hate anybody”.

That was not connected to the 27-year-old’s controversial comments about homosexuality, although that issue refuses to go away after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed they were investigating allegations of a hate crime.

The BBC says the nominations for the award were conducted by an independent panel and is not considered an endorsement of any athlete’s beliefs.

On Monday, even fellow boxers who had been thrilled about Fury’s title triumph joined the backlash against him.

In an interview he was reported to have said: “I’m not sexist”.

Fury compared homosexuality to paedophilia in a Mail on Sunday interview, and said that they signalled the arrival of the devil. He has been quoted as saying that a woman’s “best place is on her back”. “A disgusting bigot who expresses ignorant and unsafe views on everything from homosexuality, to immigration, abortion, domestic violence and the role of women”.

“It’s shocking news. I don’t think the IBF know what’s happening. Making me a good cup of tea, that’s what I believe”.

“But if I’d said to you about the first two being made legal in the ’50s, I’d have been looked upon as a insane man”.

He has also likened homosexuality to paedophilia, prompting an anti-discrimination campaigner to set up a petition calling for Fury to be removed from the BBC shortlist, which to date has attracted over 50,000 signatures. “It is still early and I have to process things but there will definitely be a rematch”, he said.