Kellie Maloney has accused Tyson Fury of "degrading" the world heavyweight title with his behaviour since becoming champion.

Fury established himself as the world's leading heavyweight when, 11 months ago, he unexpectedly defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA, WBO and IBF titles.

His career, however, has since unravelled. He first postponed a rematch with Klitschko, for his WBA and WBO titles, scheduled for July when citing an ankle injury. He then withdrew from the rearranged date of October 29 amid claims he was "medically unfit" to fight.

On Monday he announced he had retired, before insisting only three hours later his "retirement" was only a joke, one which came months after he had insulted many by airing sexist, homophobic and anti-semitic views.

When she was known as Frank Maloney, Kellie promoted a memorable fight between Fury and John McDermott in 2009. She earlier managed Lennox Lewis, one of Fury's respected predecessors as world heavyweight champion.

Maloney was also once accused of being homophobic and xenophobic, but asked of Fury, she said: "He's degraded the heavyweight championship with his insults to the gay community, with his insults to the trans community, with his insults to human life.

"I was very lucky because I managed a great heavyweight in Lennox Lewis who didn't behave anything like Tyson Fury. He was very respectable and had a great image.

"I'm a great believer that if you're the heavyweight champion of the world or you're the champion of anything, if you're in the position where people look up to you, you've got to set certain standards and become a role model.

"He's tweeting insulting things to the boxing world and especially when you consider that a young fighter [Mike Towell] died [from injuries sustained in a fight] over the weekend."

Concerns surrounding Fury's condition persist. The 28-year-old is expected to be stripped of his WBA and WBO titles because of his inactivity, and his friend and fellow world champion Billy Joe Saunders has said he is concerned he may be dead by 30 if he "doesn't get the help he needs", while yesterday Tony Bellew has pleaded with him not to do anything "silly".

Bellew, who defends his WBC cruiserweight championship against BJ Flores on October 15, believes Fury is struggling with mental health issues.

"I think it is very, very sad, he has got a mental illness, without a shadow of a doubt," the Liverpudlian said. "I know Tyson and his father and his uncle. They are some very good people, who I know, honest men, straight people.

"I feel for him at this moment in time. There are clear reasons why he is doing what he is doing and I can only wish him well and pray to god that he comes out on the other side of this safely.

"It's just sad, this lad is a father and husband. He has got people who care about him very much.

"His wife loves him, his children need him, I just hope that he comes home safe and does nothing silly because in the frame of mind he is in at the minute, he's not stable and they are worrying times.

Meanwhile, Klitschko's next opponent could be Anthony Joshua, according to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua is currently pencilled in for a mandatory defence of his IBF heavyweight belt on November 26, but Hearn believes the blockbuster clash could take place before the end of the year.

"I am hopeful, both guys have it in their mind that that is going to be the next fight," he said.

"There are plenty of hurdles to overcome still and day by day we are ticking each of them off and I think there is a real expectancy from all sides now that that will be the next fight."