TYSON FURY has ordered the BBC to REMOVE him from their Sports Personality of the Year shortlist and begged fans not to vote for him as he ‘doesn’t need verification or awards’.
The heavyweight star, 32, capped his remarkable comeback from depression and drugs by claiming the WBC title belt after knocking out Deontay Wilder in February.
Tyson Fury took to social media to tell the BBC to take him off the SPOTY shortlistCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
Fury won the WBC heavyweight world title beating Wilder in February before helping the nation with their lockdown workouts alongside wife ParisCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fury beat Wilder in February to cap a remarkable career, and life, turnaroundCredit: Reuters
On top of that, Fury – along with wife Paris – helped keep fans fit during the coronavirus lockdown with a series of fitness videos.
For his incredible year, Fury was named on the BBC’s SPOTY shortlist, alongside the likes of Lewis Hamilton – who recently won his record seventh Formula One title.
But despite his incredible story, Fury has demanded the BBC take him off their shortlist as he has ‘no need for verification or awards’.
Despite Fury’s protestations, the BBC indicated they had no intention of removing Fury from the ballot ahead of the December 20 bash.
In the video message on social media, standing in front of his WBC belt, Fury said: “Hi, this is Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King.
“This is a message for the BBC on their SPOTY award: Please take me off your list.
“I am the people’s champion and have no need for verification or any awards.
“I know who I am and what I’ve done in sport.
“The love of the people is worth more to me than all the awards in the world.
“So to all of my supporters: Please don’t vote on this.
“Take me off the list.
“All my love, Tyson Fury, the Gyspy King.”
A BBC Spokesperson said: “The shortlist is decided by an independent expert panel who choose contenders based on their sporting achievement in a given year.
“On this basis Tyson Fury will remain on the list for SPOTY 2020.
“As always the winner will be decided by the public voting during the live show and it is of course up to Tyson if he chooses to participate in the show.”
Fury, who is set to fight fellow Brit Anthony Joshua for the chance to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in 2021, was on the shortlist for the award in 2015.
Despite being found to have made homophobic and sexist remarks, the Beeb again kept him on for the award.
A staggering 130,000 people had signed a petition pleading for Fury to be removed from the shortlist and protested at the Belfast arena where the awards show was being held, to no avail.
Fans protested Tyson Fury’s inclusion on the 2015 SPOTY shortlist for his homophobic and sexist remarksCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fury finished fourth in the voting for the 2015 SPOTY awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fury finished fourth in the voting – just 7,000 votes away from third-placed Jessica Ennis-Hill – with Sir Andy Murray winning the gong.
At the time, Fury said: “I’ve said a lot of stuff in the past, none of it with intentions to hurt anybody.
“It’s all a bit tongue in cheek, it’s all fun and games for me.
“I’m not really a serious type of person. Everything’s happy go lucky with Tyson Fury.
“If I’ve said anything in the past that’s hurt anybody, I apologise to anybody’s who’s been hurt out there.
“It’s not my intention to do that.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
