Bellew rushes to Tyson Fury's defence: Let him enjoy his moment ... he's just beaten the champion!

Fury has found himself at the centre of a media storm in recent weeks, after his world title fight victory over Wladimir Klitschko elevated his profile and increased scrutiny on some controversial recent comments he has made about topics including homosexuality and paedophilia.

Before his fight Fury told the Daily Mail, “there are only three things that need to be accomplished before the devil comes home: one of them is homosexuality being legal in countries, one of them is abortion and the other is paedophilia”, while in a video he also made some derogatory remarks about heptathlon world champion Jessica Ennis-Hill.

The comments have led many to argue Fury should be removed from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist – with another nominee, long jumper Greg Rutherford, threatening to pull out in protest at the boxer's inclusion.

So far the BBC have resisted pressure to retract Fury’s nomination and the 27-year-old has now received the backing of another boxer, light-heavyweight world title challenger Tony Bellew.

“I think it's wrong. I think it's disgraceful that people build the guy up to knock him down,” said Bellew.

“He had these same comments 12 months ago. No-one cared. Why is everybody caring now? Because he beat Wladimir Klitschko?

“I don't believe for one moment that Tyson Fury believes homosexuals and paedophiles are the same. I don't believe that for one minute.”

Bellew seemed to suggest that everyone holds some views that the general majority might not agree with, but ultimately in Fury’s case his dubious beliefs need to be separated from his undoubted achievements inside the ring.

Bellew added: “I don't agree with everything that some people say. Tyson as well. But ultimately he's entitled to his opinion.

“I believe all paedophiles should be executed, publicly. Every single one of them. They can't be saved. That's what they like to do. Touch little boys and little girls. I believe they should be executed.

“You can stick me in a gas chamber and I'm not going to change those views. I don't care what people think or what people say: he's entitled to his opinion.

“I'm not saying everything he says is right. But what I am saying is he's just beat the heavyweight champion of the world.

“Let him have his time, let him enjoy his moment, because 12 months ago no-one gave a s*** about Tyson Fury."

Bellew, 33, is scheduled to fight for the vacant EBU cruiserweight title against Mateusz Masternak on the undercard of this week's heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. The Merseyside fighter recently appeared in the Hollywood movie 'Creed'.