Tyson Faces Fury Over Alleged Comments
Manchester boxer Tyson Fury's eventful reign as world heavyweight champion is under a shadow from a hate crime accusation and, in a separate issue, the removal of one of his titles.
Fury beat long-time champion Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf on November 29 to win three world titles - but is already down to two after being stripped of the IBF belt.
That was not connected to the 27-year-old's alleged comments about homosexuality, although that issue refuses to go away after Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were investigating allegations of a hate crime.
Fury denied making several homophobic comments attributed to him in an interview with the Mail on Sunday, which has stood by its story.
A spokeswoman for GMP said: ''As with all allegations of hate crime we are taking the matter extremely seriously and will be attending the victim's address to take a statement in due course.''
An online petition calling for him to be removed from the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year shortlist has attracted more than 100,000 signatures.
Fury's trainer and uncle, Peter Fury, says that his nephew should not be removed from the award nominations but should apologise for airing his controversial views.
Peter Fury said: He gives his opinions. He's not a robot. There is freedom of speech - we're in 2015. If he's offensive he needs to explain his actions and move on from there but he's entitled to his opinion just like everybody else.
Fury has since lost his IBF title having signed up to fight Klitschko again rather than the sanctioning body's mandatory challenger.