Reigning world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has been under fire for his controversial comments in a recent interview with British reporter Oliver Holt that saw him talk about his "spiritual" views and then equate homosexuality with abortion and pedophilia.

Daily Mail Online's Alison Kervin recently published a full transcription of the said interview, saying that the 27-year-old world champion "sparked controversy with his quasi-religious diatribe," generating massive hate for the Englishman from all over the world.

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"'There are only three things that need to be accomplished before the Devil comes home. One of them is homosexuality being legal in countries, one of them is abortion and the other is pedophilia," Fury said during the interview.

Fury also reportedly "threatened" Holt afterward, claiming that he was misquoted by the award-winning English sports journalist.

"See 'big Shane' there. He's 6-feet 6-inches and 25 stone. He's going break his (Holt's) jaw completely with one straight right hand. I won't do it as I'll get in trouble but the big fella there will annihilate him," Fury said. "Oliver, take a good look at him because that's the face you're going to see before you hit the deck."

Another Daily Mail Online article, this time written by Jack Bezants, reported that the champ's uncle and trainer, Peter Fury, said that his nephew would be "happy to apologize" and clarify his "dangerous message" likening homosexuality with pedophilia, but he also explained that the younger Fury was "only joking" with regards to his threats on Holt.

"He was with a bunch of his people having a laugh," Peter said. "You need to know Tyson personally to get a grip of him. Threat to Oliver Holt? It's ridiculous, come on."

"He's laughing in the background. Shane is his brother. The heavyweight champion of the world is going to threaten Olivier Holt? Come on," the elder Fury added.

Meanwhile, Boxing Scene indicated that up-and-coming British boxer Anthony Joshua, considered as a potential challenger for Fury's titles next year, said that Fury "needs to be careful what he says and when" but that he "should not change who he is."

"You've got kids and grandmas listening to you so I think there's a time and a place to say certain things. I think he has to think before he speaks. He has to be a bit more calculated in what he says. But he shouldn't change who he is," said Joshua.

It's barely a month into Fury's reign and he is already into some serious controversies. It's hard to imagine what kind of tumult he would be in if he remains champion a year from now.

TagsBoxing News & Rumors, Boxing News & Rumors 2015, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Boxing, Tyson Fury Oliver Holt Interview