Tyson Fury in ‘hate crime’ probe as he is stripped of IBF world heavyweight boxing title
Comments on homosexuality spark police investigation, while International Boxing Federation takes away belt because of British fighter’s decision to offer Wladimir Klitschko a rematch
World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was the subject of a police investigation on Tuesday following the outspoken boxer’s comments about homosexuality, amid media reports he has been stripped of his IBF title.
Greater Manchester Police said they have received a report of a “hate crime” regarding Fury’s comments, which were published in a newspaper interview before his victory over Wladimir Klitschko in a heavyweight title fight on November 28.
Let’s not try and make me out to be some evil person and I hate gays, because I don’t hate anybody
Fury, who is fiercely religious, said among the things that need to happen “before the devil comes home ... is homosexuality being legal in countries”.
“Greater Manchester Police take every allegation of hate crime extremely seriously,” the force said, “and we will be attending the victim’s address to take a statement in due course.”
The BBC reported late on Tuesday that the International Boxing Federation has stripped Fury of his title less than two weeks after winning it, quoting Lindsey Tucker, championships chairman at the IBF, as saying “It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt.”
“Our challenger was Vyacheslav Glazkov, but instead Fury’s gone and signed a rematch clause with Wladimir Klitschko,” Tucker said.
