Boxer Tyson Fury known for his repeated homophobic and sexist comments has been stripped of his heavyweight title

The British champion has previously refused to apologise for claiming that once homosexuality, paedophilia and abortion are made legal, the world will end. He also attempted to link homosexuality with paedophilia.

Last month, Fury beat champion Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko and by doing so won the four world championships belts that Klitschko held. However, it is within Klitschko’s rights to demand a rematch. Klitschko has now demanded that rematch meaning Fury has been stripped of his title.

Lindsey Tucker, championships chairman at the International Boxing Federation, told the BBC: “It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt.”

He said: “Our challenger was Vyacheslav Glazkov, but instead Fury’s gone and signed a rematch clause with Wladimir Klitschko.”

Controversially, Fury has been placed on the BBC’s shortlist for Sports Personality of the Year.

Fury took to Twitter to call those who have signed the petition requesting his removal from the list, “50,000 wankers”.

He also wrote: “Hopefully I don’t win @BBCSPOTY as I’m not the best role model in the world for the kids, give it to someone who would appreciate it.

“The Gypsy King, & the heavyweight champion of the world, will not be silenced I’ll always speak my mind, Like it or lump it, in Jesus name.”

“I’ve got more personality than all the other competitors put together in this years @BBCSPOTY who can compete with my sporting achievement!” he added.

A spokesperson from the BBC responded to his comments saying: “The Sports Personality shortlist is compiled by a panel of industry experts and is based on an individual’s sporting achievement – it is not an endorsement of an individual’s personal beliefs either by the BBC or members of the panel.”

Fellow nominee for the award, Greg Rutherford has threatened to pull out of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award if Tyson Fury remains in the shortlist.