Tyson Fury escapes reprimand but warned by British Boxing Board of Control

The British Boxing Board of Control has issued Tyson Fury with a warning, advising him to avoid making “controversial non-boxing comments” while outside the ring, Sky Sports reports.

Officials interviewed the Manchester heavyweight on Tuesday (January 26) around sexist and homophobic comments in which he linked homosexuality with paedophilia, in the lead up to, and after his surprise win over Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko, who he had previously labelled a “devil-worshipper”.

“Tyson Fury has made comments in the media that have caused offence to members of our society. However, there is no suggestion that he has broken the law by exercising his right to freedom of expression,” read a statement by the Board.

“In such circumstances, the stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control have been advised that it cannot interfere with his basic human rights.”

While Fury escaped any form of reprimand or penalty for his comments, he has been issued with a warning. “The stewards of the board have made it clear to him that as world heavyweight champion, arguably the holder of the most prestigious title in sport, there are heavy responsibilities upon him to avoid making controversial, non-boxing comments,” they said.

“He has assured the stewards that he understands the responsibilities upon him and has expressed regret that he has caused offence to others, which was never his intention.”

Last month, Fury issued an apology on the BBC with Gary Lineker after losing the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. “I’ve said a lot of stuff in the past you know, and none of it with intentions to hurt anybody,” he said at the time.

“It’s all very tongue-in-cheek, it’s all fun and games to me. I’m not a very serious kind of person. Everything’s very happy-go-lucky with Tyson Fury.

“If I said anything in the past that’s hurt anybody, I apologise to anybody that’s been hurt out there. It’s not my intention to do that.”