Tyson Fury claims he has received 'more racial abuse' since becoming world heavyweight champion

Fury's team also revealed they expect to their heavyweight to face Anthony Joshua sometime in 2017

Fury will face Klitschko again in a rematch this July (Getty)

Tyson Fury has claimed that he has received more racial abuse than ever since becoming heavyweight champion of the world.

The Wythenshawe-born boxer holds the WBA and WBO titles after defeating long-time champion Waldimir Klitschko by unanimous decision in Dusseldorf last year.

Fury, who comes from a Traveller family, told BBC Sport that he has faced discrimination over the course of his career on account of his background.

"What's changed since becoming world champion? Nothing really, I just get more racial abuse and discrimination. Success equals hatred and jealousy," the self-styled ‘Gypsy King’ said.

"I'm making money so I don't really care. You're either loved or hated, it all equals pound coins in the bank.

"I'm happy to play the pantomime villain as long as I get a big pay cheque with plenty of zeroes on it - happy days."

Fury, who has attracted controversy in the past over his comments about homosexuality and women, has begun preparation for a rematch against Klitschko at the Manchester Arena on July 9.

Fury's team insist their man could be ready to fight newly-crowned IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua before the end of this year, but more likely is the bout would take place in 2017.

Joshua has 16 knock-outs from 16 professional fights and he is only the third man to win a heavyweight world title while still reigning Olympic champion.

"I hope he fights another 20 times and knocks them all out - the more he can keep building is the more money I get when I fight him," Fury said.

"It's about prize fighting so I want him to win all the belts and then fight me.

"He's got to be in the top 10, I would probably rate him number one actually, he's certainly the number one money-maker anyway."

Additional reporting from PA