Colin Hart: Tyson Fury gets my vote to be named Britain’s Fighter of the Year – he’s controversial but has achieved the most

TYSON FURY is the hot favourite to be named Britain’s Fighter Of The Year in what would be the most delicious of ironies.

It’s going to be extremely interesting to see if fiery Fury even bothers to turn up at the British Boxing Board Of Control’s glittering awards dinner at the Novotel, Hammersmith, a week today.

Because the Boxing Board has fined Fury a total of £18,000 having found him guilty on several occasions of bringing the sport into disrepute.

Tyson, because of his outrageously abusive comments about homosexuality, women and religion, has hardly endeared himself to the governing body.

And I can imagine the Board’s stewards grinding their teeth in frustration and forcing a smile if as expected he walks off with their most prestigious prize.

But Fury is facing stiff opposition. Half of our 14 world champions are on the shortlist and his two biggest rivals are Carl Frampton and Anthony Joshua.

Frampton has had a remarkable 12 months. He unified the world super-bantamweight title by easily beating Scott Quigg.

He then took himself to New York and brilliantly out-pointed Leo Santa Cruz, to bring home the WBA featherweight crown.

Joshua, arguably the biggest crowd-puller in the country with his 100 per cent KO record, has won and defended the IBF heavyweight belt.

The other leading candidates are Anthony Crolla, James DeGale, Jamie McDonnell and Tony Bellew.

They all played a major part in helping Britain’s booming boxing scene become the most successful on earth.

Never did I dream there would come a day when we could boast four more world champions than America.

But nothing those lads have done at home or abroad can compare with Fury’s astonishing achievement in Germany 10 months ago.

Wladimir Klitschko had held world heavyweight titles for nearly 10 years. Yet Fury against all the odds and forecasts completely outsmarted him over the 12 rounds to register one of the greatest heavyweight upsets in history.

His long-awaited return with Klitschko was confirmed this week for October 29 at Manchester Arena.

Tyson should be as popular a public figure as Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis were when they were world heavyweight champions.

Because of his foul-mouthed rants Tyson, even among the most avid fight fans, is about as welcome as Jeremy Corbyn would be if he tried to enter the Carlton Club, that bastion of the Conservative Party.

It’s a great pity because the enigmatic Fury when he wants to be can be great company – charming and very funny.

But far too often his language along with his opinions belong in a cesspit. That’s why I haven’t been surprised when people have told me they hope Klitschko knocks him out next month.

Tyson is hardly a role model for the kids. But the Fighter of the Year trophy is for accomplishments in the ring.

That’s why if I had a vote I would put my cross against Fury’s name despite it having been so badly besmirched.