Tyson Fury to attend Sports Personality awards despite controversy engulfing world champion

Controversial world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury plans to attend the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards despite the uproar his nomination has caused.

Fury is one of the 12 athletes in the running to win the main award in Belfast after he captured the WBA, IBF and WBO titles in last month's upset victory over Wladimir Klitschko.

However, his comments comparing homosexuality and abortion with paedophilia, and saying a "women's best place is on her back" led to a petition calling for Fury's removal from the nominees for the awards reaching in excess of 130,000 signatures.

The BBC has been steadfast in its stance on Fury, with director general Lord Hall insisting he has been included on the list for his "sporting prowess", and Fury's promoter has confirmed the Mancunian's presence at the awards over the weekend.

Hennessy Sports said in a release: "Tyson Fury WILL attend this Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, despite weeks of controversy surrounding his nomination."