There are calls for Manchester to honour Tyson Fury with a civic reception and home-coming parade after his sensational WBC world heavyweight victory over Deontay Wilder early Sunday morning, according to BBC North West.
Manchester-based boxing coach Joe Gallagher, who coached Anthony Crolla through his world champion career, says the city must honour Fury’s achievement.
Manchester needs honour @Tyson_Fury on his return 🥊👑@MayorofGM @ManCityCouncil @BBCRadioManc @GranadaReports @BBCNWT @AndyBurnhamGM @ManchesterArena @MENnewsdesk @MENSports #historymaker #Manchester
— Joe Gallagher (@JoeG) February 23, 2020
But council bosses say they will have to take into consideration controversial comments that Mr Fury has made in the past.
“Manchester’s a sports crazy city and we love celebrating all our sporting heroes and [their] achievements,” Manchester councillor and Secretary Manchester Labour Group, Pat Karney, told Hits Radio.
“There’s no doubt that Tyson Fury had a global audience last night [fight night] and achieved an amazing moment in boxing history. But we want young people to look up too our sporting heroes, so I just want to double check that those statement that he made [Tyson Fury] a few years ago – when he said he was very very ill – and I think we have to bear that in mind.”
Personally up for that.Will talk to my colleagues.Have had my family on suggesting it. https://t.co/kBGWLN3VSj
— Pat Karney (@patkarney) February 23, 2020
He continued: “We stand up for women and gay people in our city but I think Manchester does want to have a celebration of his achievements. Born here in Manchester, it puts Manchester on the world stage and boxing is a big big activity for Mancunians. So let’s see. I’m going to make a final decision tomorrow morning.”