Fury’s fast becoming an outcast

THE British Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) has withdrawn its invitation to Tyson Fury to attend the British Sports Awards in London next week.

The SJA’s move comes amid mounting calls for Fury to be removed from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist due to his controversial views about women and homosexuality.

The SJA said in a statement: ‘The officers of the SJA took the decision reluctantly, since the British Sports Awards seek to recognise the year’s great sporting achievements, which include Fury’s heavyweight world title win.

‘But the decision was made as a consequence of threats made by Fury against at least one sports journalist, an SJA member, who has written about the boxer’s repugnant comments on homosexuality and women.’

Promoter Kellie Maloney has also called for world boxing authorities to take collective action against Fury.

Fury, who stunned Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA, IBF and WBO belts last month, is not a very good role model, according to Maloney, and also risks being shunned by major sponsors, .

The promoter told BBC Breakfast that Fury’s achievement in the ring was ‘fantastic’ but his comments outside it ‘leave a lot to be desired’.

She said: ‘I believe the (British Boxing) Board of Control are having a hearing today. They will discuss it and he will be called up in front of the board but what can they do to him?

‘They can fine him. It means all the world governing bodies should take some action against him.

‘I think his comments will harm him to get endorsements. I don’t think you will see the likes of adidas, Nike or any of the blue chip companies wanting to endorse Tyson Fury. I think he has made a terrible mistake and his management team should have realised this because they know what he is like.’

Maloney’s comments come after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed they were investigating hate crime allegations against the boxer.

Fury (above) said in an interview with Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2 this week: ‘Homosexuality, abortion and paedophilia — them three things need to be accomplished before the world finishes. That’s what the Bible tells me.’

Meanwhile, Fury has been stripped of his IBF belt because he will not be fighting the organisation’s mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov in his next fight.

Klitschko has exercised a rematch clause in the contract for his original fight with Fury.