World boxing champion Tyson Fury on the back foot over comments about women

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has attempted to play down his recent controversial remarks about women, saying: "If I am going to get in trouble for giving women compliments for wearing a dress, then what has the world come to?"

Fury - who stunned Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA, IBF and WBO belts last weekend - made outspoken comments about homosexuality in the build-up to the fight, and since then a YouTube video has emerged of the 27-year-old speaking about women and in particular Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill.

The video, published on November 25, has Fury saying that Ennis "slaps up good", while he adds: "A woman's best place is in the kitchen and on her back - that's my personal belief.''

His remarks will be on the agenda when the British Boxing Board of Control meets on Wednesday.

Speaking in the ring at the Westcroft Leisure Centre in Carshalton on Saturday evening, he made an attempt to set the record straight.

"Listen, I'm the heavyweight champion of the world and people look up to me," he told Channel Five.

"If there's any women in here tonight wearing dresses, I think everybody looks beautiful in a dress.

"If I am going to get in trouble for giving women compliments for wearing a dress, then what has the world come to?"

Put to him that he was the heavyweight champion of the world and his opinions carried weight, he replied: "Look, the proof is in the pudding with me. Watch this space. Don't judge me on a couple of comments. Watch what I do."

Fury was a controversial inclusion on the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year shortlist earlier this week despite his comments.

The BBC has so far stood firm over his place on the 12-person list.