Tyson Fury's nomination for BBC Sports Personality of The Year has caused a media frenzy over the decision to nominate a man with such outdated views on gays, women and abortion, and rightly so. As much as it should be all about the sporting achievement, it has to be said that whoever wins this accolade will have an enormous influence over any young people who may have chosen to follow in their footsteps, whether they like it or not.
Boxing is enjoying a bit of a boom at the moment, there are more and more clubs opening encouraging teenagers to enjoy a hobby that could eventually become a career if they're really lucky, and that's not a bad thing. Tyson Fury is undoubtedly a hero to a lot of these young people and they will hang on to every word he says, adopt any belief he has, and they will use it as their own and that's my worry.
When you're the mother of teenagers, you worry when they first start to go out with friends to pubs and clubs and you always have one ear listening out for them coming home, even when you're asleep but that worry is tenfold when you're waiting for your gay son to come home.
You worry that he's been attacked by some naive,homophobic bigots just for being who he is because according to these people he is the scum of the earth, and deserves a good kicking. For what? He certainly wouldn't have been walking past anyone holding hands with a partner, kissing, "flaunting it".
You're actually more likely to see straight people doing that but they won't be beaten to an inch of their life as it's seen as acceptable behaviour. No, he'll have been having a good time on the dance floor, minding his own business, just getting on with enjoying himself but that will be enough to infuriate some idiots. Homophobia is alive and well in the 21st century believe it or not, ask anyone who is LGBT and they will tell you.
I'm all for freedom of speech, even if you don't agree with what someone is saying, you should still be allowed to say it, but this is different. This boxer will be influencing impressionable young men with his ridiculous views on homosexuality (and the rest) while using the bible as an excuse to be so narrow minded.I'd like to think that there would be some older guys at the gym/club he trains at, maybe offering some advice about thinking twice before he says anything, but then again maybe not. It's well documented that the sporting world is where homophobia is rife and that is more than likely down to the dinosaurs in the board room holding the purse strings.
I applaud Tyson's sporting prowess.I applaud the fact that he's done so well, fair play and all that. But there is no way he should be allowed to win the title this time.
And don't even get me started on misogyny.