After a controversial result in Saturday’s big fight against Deontay Wilder for the WBC Heavyweight Title, Tyson Fury has seen his odds slashed from 100/1 to as low as 9/2 to take home the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
Change in tone
In 2015, Fury was in contention for the award and saw protests outside BBC studios after the public reacted to homophobic statements made by the boxer.However, a lot has changed in the last few years, after apologising on stage for his comments during that same 2015 ceremony, Fury has since spoken out about his battles with addiction, depression, and weight gain, as well as pledging his £8 million purse from the Wilder fight to build houses for the homeless.Fury’s much anticipated fight against Wilder on Saturday night ended in a draw, but many consider Fury to be the true winner, despite being knocked down twice during the bout.There will, of course, be a rematch, and Fury is favourite to win that match.
Odds shifting
It isn’t only Fury who has seen his odds change in the run up to the Sports Personality of the Year award, with cyclist and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas losing his place at favourite to footballer Harry Kane, who returns to the position of favourite that he held until July after finishing 10th in the FIFA Ballon d’Or.Lewis Hamilton is also considered to be in contention, having similar odds to Fury after two recent second place finishes.There is always much speculation around which way the award will go, and this year looks to be one of the toughest to call, but despite Fury climbing the ladder quickly, many still consider it to be between Thomas and Kane.