Tyson Fury has defended the controversial comments he made about Jessica Ennis-Hill in which he said that she “looks good in a dress” by saying: “I wasn’t asked about her achievements. I do think she looks fit in a dress.”
Fury, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweights titles last weekend, also repeated his belief that he should win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award “hands down” both for his sporting achievements, and his personality. He had previously described those who have signed a petition calling for his removal from the nominations list as “50,000 wankers”.
“Listen, I believe I should be winning Sports Personality of the Year because if it’s about sporting achievement, and personality, then I’m a winner hands down,” Fury told BBC Radio 2. “I have split opinions and views, so if that’s going to hamper my performance and winning, then it’s clearly not a fair contest is it?
“I would say, and a lot of people would agree, that I’m the biggest sports personality in this country. I’ve been to Germany in his [Klitschko’s] own back garden, disowned him, representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That will never be done again.”
The boxer was criticised last week after stating that he thought the Olympic and world heptathlon champion Ennis-Hill “slaps up good”, before adding that “a woman’s best place is in the kitchen and on her back”. Despite widespread condemnation of his views, the 27-year-old dismissed calls for him to apologise.
“She looks good when she’s got make-up on. I do think she looks good in a dress, I believe all women look good in dress. I wasn’t asked about her achievements. I do think she looks fit in a dress.”
When it was suggested that his comments were not appropriate for a role model in society, Fury responded: “I am a role model to young people. A very big role model, a 6ft 9in role model. I love my women, my wife … She knows her place, I know hers. That’s our business. Because I’m in the spotlight, people are making a scene of it.”
Fury also defended comments he made on homosexuality, abortion and paedophilia in a Mail on Sunday interview before last weekend’s fight. Those comments led to the creation of the online petition by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender campaigner Scott Cuthbertson, who spoke directly to Fury during the radio debate.
“Homosexuality, abortion, and paedophilia, them three things need to be accomplished before the world finishes,” Fury told Cuthbertson. “Whether it takes a thousand years, 10,000 years, two days. That ain’t my opinion, that’s what the Bible taught me.
“I didn’t say I hate homosexuals. Let’s make this clear. My Lord and my saviour is Jesus Christ. All he teaches is love. He didn’t come here to persecute homosexuals, myself and everybody else. Let’s not try to make me out to be an evil person, because I don’t hate anybody. Tyson Fury only has love for the world.
“I don’t think gay people are like paedophiles. Two adults consenting to love each other is a different matter to someone messing with a child. There’s lots of sins in this life. We’re all sinners. If you don’t believe in God and you don’t believe in the scriptures then we are on a different page.”
The BBC has so far stood by its decision not to yield to public pressure and take Fury out of the running for the award. It is believed that his controversial remarks will be on the agenda when the British Boxing Board of Control meets on Wednesday.
