Yahoo Finance Tyson Fury asks to be removed from BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist
Tyson Fury has asked the BBC to remove him from the Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.
The WBC world heavyweight champion was confirmed on a list of six nominees on Tuesday alongside F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and jockey Hollie Doyle.
But Fury believes he is the “people’s champion” and doesn’t require any further accolades.
“Hi this is Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King,” he said on Instagram. “This is a message for the @bbcsport and their SPOTY award. Please take me off your list as I’m the people’s champion and have no need for verification or any awards.
“I know who I am and what I’ve done in sport.”
He went on to ask that any fans respect his wishes and don’t vote for him to win the prize when voting opens.
READ MORE: Who is favourite to win Sports Personality of the Year?
“I have the love of the people which is worth more to me than all the awards in the world,” he continued.
“To anyone who supports me don’t vote. All my love Gypsy King.”
However, the BBC have confirmed that Fury will remain on the list.
"The shortlist is decided by an independent expert panel who choose contenders based on their sporting achievement in a given year," a spokesman said.
"On this basis Tyson Fury will remain on the list for Spoty 2020. As always the winner will be decided by the public voting during the live show and it is of course up to Tyson if he chooses to participate in the show."
Cricketer Stuart Broad was also included on the list as well as Liverpool’s Premier League title winning captain Jordan Henderson.
Fury claimed the WBC heavyweight belt after beating Deontay Wilder in their monumental rematch in February following 2018's controversial draw.
The 31-year-old produced the most destructive performance of his career to end Wilder's five-year reign as champion in seven thrilling rounds in Las Vegas.
Fury has had to shelve plans to fight in London before the end of the year and will delay his return to the ring until 2021.
