World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury apologises for controversial video comments

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has apologised after he was filmed making homophobic, sexist and anti-Semitic comments in an online video. The outspoken fighter was filmed on camera making a series of controversial remarks in a video posted earlier this month, but has since apologised, insisting he never wished to cause any offence.

Fury, 27, rubbished accusations of being a bigot and has pledged to exhibit better behaviour going forwards. "I said some things which may have hurt some people, which as a Christian man is not something I would ever want to do," said Fury, according to the BBC.

"I apologise to anyone who may have taken offence at any of my comments. Though it is not an excuse, sometimes the heightened media scrutiny has caused me to act out in public."

Fury – who is currently preparing for his much-anticipated rematch against Wladimir Klitschko – argued the controversial comments are not reflective of his general attitudes.

"I know more is expected of me as an ambassador of British boxing and I promise in future to hold myself up to the highest possible standard," he explained. "Anyone who knows me personally knows that I am in no way a racist or bigot and I hope the public accept this apology."

The apology comes after Fury was seen on camera saying: "The world has gone mad. Everyone just do what you can, listen to the government, follow everybody like sheep, be brainwashed by all the Zionist, Jewish people who own all the banks, all the papers all the TV stations. Be brainwashed by them all."

Meanwhile, Fury has courted controversy throughout the build-up to the Klitschko rematch, claiming he wants to be defeated so he has an excuse to retire from the sport. During an expletive-laden pre-fight press conference, Fury also revealed he has piled on weight since becoming the heavyweight champion in 2015.