Racism the catalyst for outspoken remarks, says Tyson Fury

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury said his outspoken remarks which have caused huge offence to many are down to racism aimed at Travellers he experienced as an amateur. 31-year-old Briton -- who is of Irish Traveller descent and is nicknamed ' Gypsy King' -- drew a hail of criticism with controversial comments such as 'a woman's best place is in kitchen' and claiming it would only take legalisation of paedophilia in dition to decriminalisation of abortion and homosexuals to see " devil come home." However, Fury -- who has battled demons such as substance abuse and mental health issues which he claims prompted him to think of committing suicide -- says he me comments to fulfil role of being an outsider.

"I started playing this part, being arrogant and cocky," Fury writes in his autobiography "Behind Mask" which comes out on Thursday. "I eventually lost myself in this character.

"When I started out as a pro, I me a decision which on reflection played a big part in exacerbating my moments of despair. "I went into paid ranks off back of an amateur career during which I was aware of racism against travellers. "This me me an outsider and so I felt that for me to get attention I needed to be an attraction in sport, I h to play outlaw."

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Fury, who is due to have a rematch with WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder on February 22 after ir thrilling first bout ended in a draw, said he became unable to distinguish between reality and role-playing. "I felt I h to act out a role to seek publicity and to do that I h to be controversial and shock people with how I talked," said Fury. "To some degree it worked. But playing role got to point where I didn't kw what was real and what was act."

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Fury, whose greatest moment inside ring came with his sensational defeat in 2015 of Ukrainian legend Wlimir Klitschko to become unified heavyweight world champion, said he is indebted to his wife Paris for sticking by him. Paris -- whom he met when he was 17 -- h thought about leaving him when he indulged in a cocaine and alcohol binge but fearful he would commit suicide, she stayed. "I can't really put into words how much it means to me that Paris stuck with me and pain it causes me when I look back to how low I brought her, because she didn't deserve it," says Fury.

Fury, whose most recent sporting activity saw him beat Braun Strowman in a World Wrestling Inc (WWE) bout in Saudi Arabia on October 31, says his low self-esteem was at base of it. "I confess I didn't react as I should have done and I regret how I came across at times," he said. "I was angry and felt under-appreciated." 

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