Tyson Fury has been nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality Of The Year award (SPOTY), and is a best-priced 8/1 in the betting odds to come out on top on December 20.
‘The Gypsy King’ had been as short as 8/11 to scoop the prestigious prize following his incredible victory over Deontay Wilder back in February.
But 10 months is a long time in sport, notably in lockdown, and Fury has been unable to fight since. His trilogy fight with Wilder and then a UK homecoming were both scuppered. He will now return to the ring in 2021. Next year could be even bigger for him with a planned heavyweight title unification match against big rival Anthony Joshua.
Fury joins Hamilton and co in shortlist
The shortlist, announced on Tuesday evening, is as follows:
- England cricketer Stuart Broad.
- Jockey Hollie Doyle.
- Boxer Tyson Fury.
- Formula driver Lewis Hamilton.
- Liverpool football captain Jordan Henderson.
- Snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Favourite (as short as 1/4) to win the award at Manchester’s Media City later this month is Hamilton. Last month he clinched a record-equalling seventh world drivers’ title. His epic victory at the Turkish Grand Prix moved him level with the great Michael Schumacher. Hamilton previously won SPOTY in 2014.
Fury and Hamilton battle for second favouritism
Second in the betting at 7/1 is the mercurial O’Sullivan, who won his sixth World Snooker Championship title earlier this year. Fury is then next in the betting.
Henderson captained Liverpool to their first ever Premier League title success after a wait of some 27 years and is a 16/1 shot. Doyle, who has been an absolute sensation on the racetrack as she carries all before her, is 33/1. Broad is the outsider of the pack at 200/1 in places.
Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, who had been one of the favourites to win after his brilliant campaigning to stop child food poverty, has not been nominated for the main award. However, he will receive a special award in recognition of his amazing work.
The glittering awards ceremony of course will be screened live by the BBC on the evening of Sunday December 20 in the UK.
