The boxing champ blasted critics who want him taken off the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist – and had harsh words for his fellow nominees too
Glove story: Tyson Fury with Paris Fury after his World Heavyweight victory (Image: Alpha Press)
Boxing champ Tyson Fury has brushed off criticism of his chauvinistic views by claiming his wife is lucky her only job is to cook and clean for him.
Since winning the world heavyweight title, the outspoken fighter has come under fire for making a series of sexist and homophobic comments during interviews.
And after being shortlisted for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year , he said fellow nominee Jessica Ennis-Hill “slaps up good” and looks “quite fit” in a dress.
But in response to a backlash over his remarks, Fury, 27, told an interviewer: “I’m not really interested to be honest. Men don’t look good in dresses. Women do.
“And what? Why is that bad? What’s the sexist comment? I’m a little backward, I didn’t really go to school.
Paris Fury wife of heavy weight champion boxer Tyson Fury
Role: Paris’s work is at home, says Tyson (Image: Andy Commins / Mirrorpix)
“What part of ‘A woman looks good in a dress’ sexist? That’s right, I stand up for beliefs.”
He added: “My wife’s there, her job is cooking, cleaning and looking after the kids, that’s it. She does get to make some decisions, what’s she’s gonna cook for my tea when I get home.”
He also said of wife Paris: “She’s a very privileged woman to have a husband like me. Not everyone is in her position, but the ones that are, are very lucky.”
Read more:Tyson Fury ‘wants own reality TV show’ after becoming world heavyweight champion
Campaigners are calling for Fury to be pulled from the Sports Personality shortlist and a petition has reached 60,000 signatures.
But he described his critics as “w******”, adding: “If anyone wants to add to them, they can add to the numbers.”
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Of his fellow nominees, he said: “I’ve got more personality in my little toe than them all put together. I can honestly say, I’m not really interested in winning SPOTY.
“If it comes down to personality, there is only one winner. If it comes down to sporting achievements, there’s only one winner.”
And in a jab at F1 champ Lewis Hamilton and tennis ace Andy Murray, he said: “What personality does it take to drive a car around a track 100 times?
“Or hit a ball back and forth?”
The Mancunian also boasted that he set an example for children to follow.
Tyson Fury celebrates winning the fight with his wife Paris Fury
Celebration: The couple after Tyson’s victory (Image: Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith)
He added: “People should look up to me, young kids, I am a good role model. I show how men should really be. Real men.”
Fury hit the headlines last weekend after claiming the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles after a points decision against Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko.
However, he caused controversy before the fight by appearing to compare homosexuality with paedophilia in an interview. Fury later denied he was a homophobe.
A BBC spokesman said: “Tyson Fury’s victory and subsequent crowning as world heavyweight champion was widely covered by media outlets and his inclusion on the shortlist is similarly recognition of his sporting achievement – it is not about endorsing his personal views.
“It will be for the public to decide who will crowned Sports Personality of the Year 2015.”
