The Shadow leader of the Commons, Chris Bryant, has urged the new world heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson Fury, to “get in touch” and come to tea at the House of Commons, so the pair can talk about his “issues”.
Advertisement
However, Fury made controversial remarks in the build-up to the fight when revealing his views on subjects such as homosexuality and abortion in an interview with the Daily Mail, and he has also been seen making sexist remarks about Ennis-Hill and former Ultimate Fighting Championship title-holder Ronda Rousey in a video interview with iFL TV. I believe a woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back. I think she’s good, she won quite a few medals for Great Britain.
It remains to be seen whether Fury’s comments will see him removed from the running for the BBC’s Sports Athlete of the Year award, a prize for which he has been nominated.
He then took a thinly-veiled swipe at Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and Davis Cup victor Andy Murray.
And a video for IFLTV has emerged on YouTube in which Fury appears to threaten to have journalist Oliver Holt, who interviewed him, beaten up by a member of his entourage and makes a number of comments relating to women in sport.
Fury hit the headlines last weekend after claiming the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles after a points decision against Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko. “I am also aware of my position as a role model and I hope to be a positive ambassador for the sport of boxing for many years to come”.
On Friday Fury put out a statement claiming he was not homophobic: “I am aware of the recent newspaper articles and I would like to put on record that I am not homophobic”, he said.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “It will be for the public to decide who will be crowned Sports Personality of the Year 2015”.
Mr Bryant told Sky News’ Murnaghan programme: “In part, I’m joking obviously about going head to head with him, but again I think in politics it is possible to change people’s minds”.
Mr Bryant said that was “profoundly offensive” and the “kind of language that leads to more young people committing suicide”.
More than 50,000 people have signed a petition demanding Fury’s name to be dropped.
Fury, who comes from a traveller background, reiterated his comments suggesting women belong in the kitchen, saying: ‘I stand up for my beliefs’.
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]”.
All comments that are posted on the beIN SPORTS website do not reflect beIN SPORTS opinion or vision. beIN SPORTS is not legally responsible for any inappropriate comments, users are exclusively responsible for comments they post and is described to be their personal opinion.
Advertisement
“Fifty thousand w****** – that’s what I say about them”.
