Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tyson Fury: Kellie Maloney claims in boxing 'we create monsters'

'He's now a role model, he's now got a lot of young people looking up to him'

Olivia Blair
Wednesday 09 December 2015 18:30 GMT
Comments
Maloney recently returned to boxing promoting
Maloney recently returned to boxing promoting ( Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Kellie Maloney has said Tyson Fury has become "a bit of a monster” and said he crossed the line with disparaging comments about homosexuality and women.

The boxing promoter, who used to manage former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, reportedly told CNN the boxer, despite his “fantastic” achievements, should be removed from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award - which continues to be shrouded in controversy over its decision to shortlist Fury.

“Even though Fury’s the heavyweight champion of the world, he still has to respect other human beings and respect the diversity that’s in this world.

“He’s now a role model, he’s now got a lot of young people looking up to him. He’s the champion of the world, he’s the number one… and to make comments like that, it’s really bad.”

Fury’s heavyweight victory over Wladimir Klitschko has been overshadowed by comments he made in an interview with the Mail on Sunday in November where he appeared to compare homosexuality with paedophilia.

“There are only three things that need to be accomplished before the devil comes home: one of them is homosexuality being legal in countries, one of them is abortion and the other one’s paedophilia. Who would have thought in the 50s and 60s that those first two would be legalised?”

He later attempted to clarify these comments on BBC Radio 2, saying: “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.”

A petition calling for Fury to be taken off the SPOTY shortlist over these remarks has now amassed over 122,000 signatures.

The 27-year-old has also been criticised for making sexist comments, including claiming a woman’s best place “is in the kitchen and on her back”.

Maloney, 62, said she believed Fury should be “punished and fined” for his remarks and said, in boxing, “monsters” are created.

“Tyson has always been outspoken and said what he wants to say… in a way he's become a bit of a monster because now he's at the top of the pile," reports CNN.

Maloney, formerly Frank Maloney announced she had come out of retirement to return to boxing promoting after undergoing gender reassignment surgery.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in