Tyson Fury: I get more racial abuse now I'm world champion but I don't care

Tyson Fury says he receives more racial abuse now he is world champion but insists he does not care as long as boxing makes him rich.
Tyson FuryTyson Fury
Tyson Fury

Fury, who calls himself the ‘Gyspy King’ and comes from a Traveller background, is preparing for a world title rematch with Wladimir Klitschko at the MEN Arena on July 9.

The pair went head to head in Germany last November when Fury pulled off a remarkable points victory to secure the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“What’s changed since becoming world champion? Nothing really, I just get more racial abuse and discrimination. Success equals hatred and jealousy,” Fury said.

“I’m making money so I don’t really care. You’re either loved or hated, it all equals pound coins in the bank.

“I’m happy to play the pantomime villain as long as I get a big pay cheque with plenty of zeroes on it - happy days.”

Anticipation is also growing around a potential all-British unification fight with Anthony Joshua, who clinched the IBF title on Saturday by beating defending champion Charles Martin at London’s O2 Arena.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fury dismissed Joshua’s win, claiming earlier on Wednesday the London 2012 gold medallist looked “like a pumped up weightlifter”, and he also revealed Martin’s defeat cost him a wager worth around £37,000.

“I put a seven-fold accumulator on that night and they all won apart from stupid Martin,” Fury said.

“It was a £1,000 accumulator and it would have paid about 37 grand. Everyone won apart from that idiot Martin who didn’t even try.

“The way I see it is that I lost 37 grand but I’ve gained £5m through Joshua winning so happy days.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fury’s team insist their man could be ready to fight Joshua before the end of this year, but more likely is the bout would take place in 2017.

Joshua has 16 knock-outs from 16 professional fights and he is only the third man to win a heavyweight world title while still reigning Olympic champion.

“I hope he fights another 20 times and knocks them all out - the more he can keep building is the more money I get when I fight him,” Fury said.

“It’s about prize fighting so I want him to win all the belts and then fight me.

“He’s got to be in the top 10, I would probably rate him number one actually, he’s certainly the number one money-maker anyway.”

Related topics: