BOLTON, ENGLAND — Being heavyweight champion of the world hasn't changed Tyson Fury much, at least judging by the maverick boxer's journey back to Britain after beating Wladimir Klitschko.
No private jets for British sport's new big thing. His near-12-hour journey from Germany involved being driven by his pregnant wife to the Netherlands, followed by a ferry over to England.
No champagne breakfasts, either. He had a bowl of porridge and some fruit on Monday morning before driving in his sandals to a packed-out "Welcome Home" news conference near his home northern town.
"It's not going to change me. There'll be no change in the champ," Fury said. "Anybody who can be changed by money, and by achievements, is not a realist. I don't feel different today than I was the day before, the day before."
Many say he needs to change. The 27-year-old Fury has blurted out, or tweeted, some controversial comments in recent times. He said before the Klitschko fight that doping should be legalized in all sports to make it "fully fair." He was fined 3,000 pounds (around $4,500) in 2012 for a foul-mouthed rant that included branding two fellow English boxers "gay lovers." In a recent newspaper interview, the fiercely religious Fury was quoted as saying that among the "things that need to be accomplished (changed) before the devil comes home ... is homosexuality being legal in countries."
All that was said when he was largely unknown outside boxing circles. Before he stunned not just boxing but the sporting world by beating Klitschko. Does responsibility come with being in the lofty position of heavyweight champion of the world? Not according to Fury.
"If people don't like it, change the channel," said Fury, still sporting a bruise above his right eye from Saturday's fight. "I won't be dictated to by anyone. Do I care? Not really."
Asked if he thought he was a role model to kids, Fury replied: "I'm not bothered, it's up to them."
Speaking with the press, Fury discussed his win:
"I'm not surprised, I'm not overwhelmed, I've always said it would happen. I've been preaching this for I don't know how long. For me to go there and bust him like I've done, it shows what type of talent I am. Anyone who wants to discredit my performance is pure jealousy."
