By Gabriel Princewill-
Some sections of the British press are today criticised for inadvertently encouraging distasteful filthy talk by heavyweight boxer, Tyson Fury.
The unbeaten British heavyweight whose mental health past is well documented is known for spitting out filthy words in press conferences which many find amusing. Fury faces dangerous WBC king Deontey Wilder on February 22nd in Las Vegas. It is the most important fight of both heavyweight boxers to date.
Fury recently claimed to be masturbating seven times a day, and most recently claimed to be licking female organs in a humorous show of vulgarity which the press has shamefully endorsed by reporting it. the press should no better than echo his indiscretions, but instead appear to encourage him by repeating his ill judged comments.
Fury captured the world heavyweight titles in 2015, becoming undisputed heavyweight champion when he beat Wladimir Klitschko on points in Germany. He lost the titles out of the ring due to his mental heath troubles, but mainly by refusing to defend his titles by facing his mandatory.
Fury argued he had a rematch clause with Klitschko, and the IBF who claimed the clause was against their rules, negligently failed to confront Klitschko over the deal. The Eye Of Media.Com at the time rebuked the IBF for their misguided judgement.
Fury was out of the ring for two and half years and after two fights on his return, he performed very well against American destructive puncher Deontey Wilder in holding him to a draw in December 2018. In a press conference to promote his highly anticipated fight with Wilder, he claimed he had been ‘licking pxxxx’ to strengthen his chin.
Sections of the British press including The Sun and The Metro used his comments to make headlines in what The Eye Of Media considers bad taste. Fury is like no other boxer and sometimes shoots from the heap, but the press ought to be be more responsible by not encouraging the boxer’s misguided remarks.
Impressively, there were other members of the press who were conscious and mature enough not to quote or lay emphasis on the unarguably reprehensible comments made by the largely unhinged and peculiar Fury. We asked a few professionals their views about the decision of the press to report the news.
Psychologist Anna Dreic, 26 said:
”I think it is gutter talk and presents Tyson Fury as as very crude. Considering he is going for a world title which could make him a role model if he is victorious, it makes him a bad example for young people who may look up to him. The fact he is known to have mental health issues is a reason why the press should know he he does not care what he says.They should not encourage him.
Sheila Mckenzie, a writer and researcher said:
” as a boxer and a man in the public eye, Tyson Fury should watch what he says, but he does not. The fact he speaks freely makes him interesting and amusing, but the press should have a higher moral compass and choose to edit out that kind of crass language from Fury.
”By repeating those kind of words, they are encouraging other boxers to think it is fine to talk like that. I think the press should set better example and draw the line over what to print. Making lewd comments like that headlines is low”
However 30 year old Steve Anderton said: ‘ I don’t think its down to the press to police what people in the public eye say. By quoting them, the media is giving the public an accurate picture of what the person is like and leaving it to the public to decide. Fury’s mental issue has nothing to do with it otherwise he should not be boxing if he is mentally unfit, should he?”
However, it is questionable whether the public can be trusted to have good judgement situations like this. They are more likely to find it funny and consider such language acceptable. It encourages moral decadence in society, and makes the press who endorse it complicit in that.
When the press repeat the sort of reproachable language Fury sometimes uses, and makes it headline news, it undermines their substance and questions their own moral ethics. Some editors might be indifferent about quoting that kind of filth, but they really should consider how it reflects on them.
ADMIRATION
Fury gained much admiration when he miraculously rose from the canvas in the 12th round of his last contest against Wilder after seemingly being out following a devastating punch from heavy handed Wilder. Fury has always been a great salesman and self promoter but he is well known for his manifestly poor judgement.
Fury has vowed to knock Wilder out, with the American puncher equally confident of a similar outcome. It should be a fascinating contest.