Should Tyson Fury have won a Sports Personality award?

By Tom Masters

BBC Sports Personality of the Year is one of the Sporting Calendar’s most important days as every British sportsperson dreams of lifting the infamous trophy in the Sunday preceding Christmas. 

This year was no different, as Britain’s elite sports stars gathered to celebrate what has been a formidable year in sport, despite the circumstances, with a successful Olympic and Paralympic games, the European Championships, the British & Irish Lions tour and much, much more. 

This year, the six nominees reflected the British success, with Olympic stars Adam Peaty and Tom Daley, Paralympic legend Sarah Storey, young tennis sensation Emma Raducanu, Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling and boxing’s biggest name, Tyson Fury. 

Those six stars have achieved an immense amount in the past 12 months, and really any of them would have been worthy winners. 

The bookies overwhelming favourite before the show was Raducanu, who became the first British female to win a tennis major since Virginia Wade’s Wimbledon triumph in 1977. 

And the public did not let them down, with Raducanu storming to take the victory ahead of Daley and Peaty. 

But should Tyson Fury have won some sort of recognition? 

A year of success 

Fury’s impressive victory over Deontay Wilder in October saw him nominated for the award that he has twice previously been nominated for, in 2015 and 2018. 

Fury was twice knocked down before going on to stun the American with an eleventh round knockout to keep hold of his WBC heavyweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. 

That was his second victory over Wilder in as many years after their controversial draw in 2018 which remains the only blot on Fury’s CV. 

The ‘Gypsy King’ has won 32 of his 33 fights, with 22 of those wins coming by knockout. 

In terms of what he achieved this year, it is understandable that Fury was in the running for the award.

Negative views towards the award 

Fury has repeatedly said that he wants no involvement with the award and in fact threatened to sue the BBC should he be among the shortlist. 

Whether that will materialise or not is yet to be seen, but the 33-year-old has made it very clear that the award is not his cup of tea despite receiving three nominations. 

In an interview with the Telegraph, he said: “It (SPOTY) means nothing to me and I don't need it or want it. 

"In fact, they will hear from my solicitors if they do put me on the list. Give it to someone who needs it. I don't. 

"And, anyway, we know who the sports personality of the year is - it's me. 

"I am the sports personality. Who does what I do, goes through a war in Las Vegas, entertains the fans, and then sings to the audience?" 

On the day of the awards themselves, Fury was nowhere to be seen and was in fact in New York taking in the sights with his wife and friends, posting on social media what he was up to. 

Public issues 

Fury has had a long and controversial relationship with the media and the public over the years. 

His fight for mental health in the country is heralded by many, while his comeback story is an inspiration in itself. 

But that is rather tarnished by previous comments made by Fury that were both sexist and homophobic. 

These contrasting parts of Fury’s past make him a highly divisive figure while his whacky and sometimes utterly bizarre media interviews entertain some and infuriate others. 

Added onto this is the popularity of Anthony Joshua who is a direct rival of Fury’s, with it being practically impossible to be a fan of both, meaning many people will have voted elsewhere when it came to it. 

Overall 

Fury’s seeming disregard and lack of interest for such a prestigious award is something that leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many for whom Sports Personality of the Year is an important sporting event.

Combine this with the large number of people who dislike Fury and the significant following for the likes of Raducanu, Daley and Peaty, there is no wonder that Fury was ultimately beaten quite comfortably. 

Thus, while Fury has undoubtedly achieved great things in 2021, his achievements do not overcome his lack of popularity, while it seems as though he ultimately does not care about the award, with Raducanu gathering swathes of popularity as the whole nation cheered her on to US Open glory, proving she was a worthy winner. 

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