A PETITION calling for Tyson Fury to be dropped from the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year shortlist is gathering momentum, after a series of sexist comments he made came to light.
The World Heavyweight Champion, who has previously been criticised for making homophobic comments, said that British heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill “looks quite fit when she’s got a dress on”.
In an interview ahead of his win over Wladimir Klitschko, the Manchester-born boxer, also suggested “a woman’s best place is in the kitchen or on her back”.
Fury made the 12-strong shortlist alongside Ennis-Hill and Davis cup winner Andy Murray.
He has taken to social media on several occasions to vent about his 'misconstrued' opinions.
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, 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
— Gypsy King (@Tyson_Fury) December 4, 2015
A petition launched by equality campaigners to remove Fury from the shortlist has received over 80,000 signatures. During the controversial interview, the boxer was also asked about his opinion on women in boxing.
He replied: “I think they’re very nice when they’re walking around that ring, holding them cards. I like them actually. They give me inspiration when I’m tired.”
When asked for his opinion on female boxers, he continued: “I’m all for it. I’m not sexist. I believe a woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back. That’s my personal belief. Making me a good cup of tea, that’s what I believe.”
We only live in a democratic world when it suits everybody else,
— Gypsy King (@Tyson_Fury) December 7, 2015
His recent world title win followed comments he made in a Mail on Sunday interview in November in which he categorised homosexuality and abortion alongside paedophilia.
He said: “There are only three things that need to be accomplished before the devil comes home: one of them is homosexuality being legal in countries, one of them is abortion and the other one’s paedophilia.”
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 will be revealed on December 20.
