‘The BBC would never let me win’: Tyson Fury snubs Sports Personality of the Year after nomination
The WBC heavyweight champion is one of six nominees for the main prize
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.Tyson Fury is not willing to contribute to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday.
World heavyweight champion Fury was named on the six-person shortlist earlier this week despite having previously threatened legal action if he was included.
Emma Raducanu, Adam Peaty, Tom Daley, Raheem Sterling and Dame Sarah Storey are the other athletes in contention for the Award, which will be presented in front of a drastically-reduced audience in Salford on Sunday.
Fury, who is currently in Florida told the Daily Mail: “The BBC would never let me win even if I knocked out King Kong.
“I will be relaxed in the Florida sunshine while the BBC get on with their SPOTY in winter. Even if they did want to give me another Special Award, which they did once, I won’t be making another speech for them.”
Fury finished fourth in 2015, despite a petition calling for his removal from the shortlist after comments he made linking homosexuality with paedophilia surfaced, and was also shortlisted last year.
His 2021 nomination comes on the back of a second crushing defeat of Deontay Wilder, which ended their trilogy of title fights.
Raducanu is the heavy favourite to win the award after winning the US Open in fairytale fashion in September.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments