WORLD heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has been nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 27-year-old is one of 12 contenders for the prestigious accolade, including heptathlon world champion Jessica Ennis-Hill and recent Davis Cup winner Andy Murray.
Born into an Irish Travellers’ family in Manchester, the fighter claimed one of boxing’s biggest upsets after he brought Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko’s 11-year unbeaten spell to an end in Germany on Saturday night.
Following his recent success, Fury said that being nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award was an honour.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "I've just become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world so nothing can can topple that, can it?
"I suppose it's a very good thing to be nominated for Sports Personality Of The Year. There's been a lot of great sportspeople who have won it in the past. For me to be put in line for it at this part of my career, it's a great honour."
If he wins, Fury will follow in the footsteps of former Irish boxer Barry McGuigan who received the honour in 1985.
"If I do win it, then it'll be an epic Christmas for the Fury family. Not only will I be undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, but I'll also be BBC Sports Personality of the Year. What a way to finish the year, with a bang," he added.
Previous winners also include Northern Irish champion jockey AP McCoy, who was honoured in 2010.
The 12-strong shortlist:
- Lizzie Armitstead - Cycling
- Lucy Bronze - Football
- Jessica Ennis-Hill - Athletics
- Mo Farah - Athletics
- Chris Froome - Cycling
- Tyson Fury- Boxing
- Lewis Hamilton - Formula 1
- Andy Murray - Tennis
- Adam Peaty - Swimming
- Greg Rutherford - Athletics
- Kevin Sinfield - Rugby league
- Max Whitlock - Gymnastics
