Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury
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Tyson Luke Fury (34-0-1) is universally regarded as one of the best ‘pound-for-pound’ fighters on the planet, and his rise from obscurity to fame and fortune is easily one of boxing history’s most absorbing stories.

The fight game has always welcomed charismatic outlaws, and they do not come much bigger, brasher or more outrageous than Fury. Overflowing with natural gifts, Fury’s ability to move, box and bang intelligently has seen him scale to the peaks of his profession not once, but twice already in what is certain to be a Hall-of-Fame career.

There’s an old English proverb that states ‘From little acorns grow mighty oak trees’. And this is a perfect description of Fury’s rise, fall and rise again. Born prematurely in the summer of 1988 and weighing just 1lb, his father ‘Gypsy’ John Fury was advised by hospital staff that his son might not survive. However, showing the battling qualities that would come to define his life and times, survive he did as he grew into a 6ft 9ins powerhouse.

‘The Gypsy King’ turned pro in 2008 and by November of 2015 he was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, having travelled to Germany and dethroned Wladimir Klitschko.

Yet having reached the zenith of his profession on a cold night in Dusseldorf, Fury then threatened to throw it all away. Demons gripped him and even in a sport where mastery and madness oft collide, Fury’s fall from grace was spectacular. He would suffer a 31-month hiatus from boxing, during which time his weight ballooned to nearly 400 lbs as he battled depression and substance misuse issues.

In his book ‘Behind the Mask’ Fury admitted that he contemplated killing himself at the wheel of his brand new Ferrari and those closest to him were genuinely concerned that he would not see 30.

While Fury’s world fell apart around him, a new king from the United Kingdom was anointed as Anthony Joshua, a 2012 super-heavyweight gold medalist from Watford, took Fury’s place at the head of boxing’s top table. Yet just as Fury was beginning to be written off, with the help of Ben Davison (a friend who later became his trainer), Fury began an arduous road back that saw him shed 130 lbs.

It was a road which eventually led to Deontay Wilder, an American knockout artist who was WBC world heavyweight champion and unbeaten in 40 fights when the pair boxed in December 2018.

Few were picking Fury to win, but on the night and despite not being 100% fit he showed astonishing ring generalship against ‘The Bronze Bomber’, dictating the action for large swathes of the fight. And but for two knockdowns (one in round 9 and one in round 12 that he did well to rise up from) he would have won. Instead, he had to settle for a majority draw on the cards.

Revenge they say is a dish best served cold and any grievance against the judges at the Staples Center in LA Fury may have held were vanquished forever when he met Wilder in a rematch in February 2020 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

On this night Fury would show just why he is one of the most gifted, compelling and charismatic figures in all of sports as he bludgeoned Wilder to a TKO defeat in seven rounds.

His career has come full circle, with a 2020 ITV documentary showing the flamboyant and controversial ‘Gypsy King’ also to be a deeply religious and caring family man who is doing a lot of good work to raise the profile of men’s mental health. As he stands today, Fury is the WBC and lineal world heavyweight champion.

Fury ended 2020 in some style when he was voted Fighter of the Year by boxing bible Ring magazine for a second time. After winning the award back in 2015, he repeated the dose by sharing the award with lightweight sensation Teofimo Lopez. Fury is the first British fighter to win the award twice.

'The Gypsy King' finally completed his trilogy with Wilder with an epic 11th-round knockout victory over 'The Bronze Bomber' at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on October 9, 2021.

Fury next made a triumphant UK homecoming on April 23, 2022 - stopping fellow Brit Dillian Whyte in the sixth round of their showdown in front of 94,000 fans at London's Wembley Stadium. A perfect uppercut closed the show in style. He followed up with another masterclass as he stopped Dereck Chisora in Round 10 of their trilogy fight in December 2022.

Fury's most recent victory was a close shave as he struggled to a split decision against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in their crossover showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October 2023.

Tyson Fury next fight

The fight everybody wants to see now is confirmeed - Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk for all the heavyweight marbles.

The pair will face off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but not just yet after their planned February 17 date was postponed when Fury sustained a 'freak cut' during sparring. Now we await a rescheduled date for the bout that should give us the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since 1999.

The fight has now been rescheduled for Saturday May 18, 2024 at the same location.

Tyson Fury fight time

Fury vs Usyk will take place at a time perfect for primetime viewers in the UK.

Ring walks in Riyadh will likely be between 2200 and 2300 UK - that is between 1700 and 1800 Eastern Standard Time, between 1400 and 1500 PST.

Tyson Fury fight on TV: how to watch

The bout will air on Sky Sports Box Office, TNT Sports Box Office and DAZN PPV in the UK.

In the United States DAZN and ESPN PPV will stream the action, while DAZN also has global rights.

Tyson Fury weight

Fury’s weight was a hot topic ahead of his return with Wilder. Father John had very publicly claimed he was too light as he struggled to beat Otto Wallin in September 2019 and his son came in at 273 lbs for the Wilder return, a full 17 lbs heavier than he was for their first fight. It was then the third heaviest Fury had ever weighed as a pro but it did him no harm as he blasted Wilder out inside seven rounds.

Fury came in even heavier for the Wilder trilogy - at 277lbs (19st 11lbs) - though he was wearing a hat, a vest, trousers and shoes. Either way it did not hamper him as he used his bulk to again bully Wilder to a comprehensive defeat.

Fury showed his versatility in his next bout, as he came in almost a full stone later at 264lbs (18st 12lbs) for the fight with Whyte. He looked in terrific shape and boxing smartly but retained the power to stop 'The Body Snatcher'. Fury then scaled 268lbs (19st 2lbs) for that trilogy win over Chisora. He was back up at 277 for the win over Ngannou.

Tyson Fury promoter

Fury’s deal with ESPN and Top Rank means that legendary promoter Bob Arum. Arum - now 91 years young - is Fury’s promoter in the US. Nobody who saw it will forget the newly-crowned WBC heavyweight champion passing the mic to spritely Arum after that Wilder win in Vegas as the pair belted out “American Pie”. Arum has helped Fury become a crossover star in the US.

Fury’s promotional affairs in the UK are handled by Frank Warren, having worked for much of his early career with Mick Hennessy.

Tyson Fury net worth

The State of Nevada Athletic Commission confirmed Fury earned a basic guarantee of $6million for that trilogy fight vs Wilder, though that figure will be boosted significantly when their respective cuts of the pay-per-view revenue are worked out.

The Wilder rematch in February 2020 drew a record live gate for a heavyweight bout of just shy of $17m at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Fury’s mega-deal with ESPN and Top Rank (which still has one fight to run) means his net worth is now thought to be anything between £70 million and £100 million.

Forbes had Fury as the highest-ranked boxer on its list of the Highest-Paid Athletes of 2020, saying he coined in a cool $57m (£46m) with around $26m (£21m) of that coming from the Wilder rematch. Fury is thought to have made a cool £12 million alone for his single WWE appearance against Braun Strowman, and he is now one of boxing’s most bankable stars.

Later in 2020 Fury's terrific 12 months saw him listed at 34 on Forbes Celebrity 100. Not bad for a man Wladimir Klitschko once claimed “has a brain the size of a squirrel’s”.

Tyson Fury family

Paris Fury

Tyson originally met Paris around 15 years ago at a wedding of mutual friends when she was just 15. The story goes that it was not a case of love at first sight, certainly on her part, despite the fact she was also raised in a traditional traveller family in South Yorkshire.

Happily the pair would meet again by chance at her 16th birthday party and began dating soon after, though she stressed on the recent ITV documentary ‘The Gypsy King’ that the pair did not sleep together until their wedding night, in keeping with traveller tradition. The coupled were married in November 2008, shortly before Tyson made his professional debut.

Paris has been tipped for a future career in TV presenting after earning rave reviews for her 2020 appearances on ITV daytime show 'Loose Women'.

Tommy Fury

Tyson is the older brother of Tommy Fury, a 4-0 light-heavyweight who is probably best known for his stint on Love Island in the summer of 2019. It was on this show he met girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague, and she was ringside to see his last victory against Poland’s Prezmyslaw Binienda at London’s Copper Box Arena in December 2019.

Despite the vast amount of knowledge and experience within the Fury family, Tommy is trained by Ricky Hatton, the wildly popular Mancunian who won world championships at light-welterweight and welterweight. Like his older brother, Tommy is handled by Frank Warren.

John Fury

Fury’s dad, the brilliantly bombastic John Fury, is a former bare-knuckle fighter who boxed professionally in the 1980s as ‘Gypsy’ John Fury. He finished with an 8-4-1 pro log but was reported to have more success ‘On the cobbles’ in arranged fights for money. In 2011 he was jailed for 11 years after gouging a man’s eye out after a fight at a car auction, and as a consequence has been unable to travel to America to watch Tyson box.

Fury is a well-respected figure in the traveller community and recently claimed he was the “toughest 54-year-old in the world”. This led to an online challenge from a former bodybuilding champion called Micky Theo and the pair are expected to settle their differences in a charity fight at some stage over the next 12 months.

Hughie Fury

Hughie is the 6’ 6” cousin of Tyson who has been a pro since 2013. In that time he has compiled a 25-3 (14) pro record and won the British heavyweight title in May 2018 when he stopped Sam Sexton. Hughie has also boxed for the WBO world heavyweight title, losing a controversial decision to Joseph Parker at the Manchester Arena in 2017.

Hughie admitted in 2018 that him and Tyson are now estranged and have not spoken since Hughie’s dad – respected coach Peter Fury – stopped training his cousin after his victory over Klitschko. Hughie is promoted by Mick Hennessey.

Peter Fury

Fury’s uncle Peter is the man credited with masterminding Fury’s sensational triumph over Klitschko in 2015, however the pair have barely spoken since after their relationship mysteriously broke down. Neither side have really spoken publicly to clarify the reason behind the falling out, with Peter now no longer on speaking terms with his brother John either.

Quiet and unassuming compared to his brother and nephew, Peter himself is no stranger to controversy after being jailed for 10 years in 1995 for possession with intent to supply amphetamine. However, he has turned his life around since, and as well as training son Hughie he also guides Hartlepool’s unbeaten former amateur World Championship gold medalist and now WBO middleweight champion Savannah Marshall.

Tyson Fury children

Tyson and Paris have seven children, some of whom became small screen stars in their own right following ‘The Gypsy King’ wowing viewers in his TV documentaries.

The couple are proud parents to Prince John James, Venezuela and Prince Tyson Fury II. Their fourth child was named Valencia Amber while Prince Adonis Amaziah became the next addition to the family and a third son for Tyson. Daughter Athena became the sixth Fury arrival when she was born on August 8, 2021. Prince Rico Paris arrived in September 2023.

Paris admits she told Tyson she was pregnant with Prince John James less than 24 hours before his stunning world heavyweight title win against Klitschko in 2015.

Tyson Fury mum

Tyson’s mother Amber is easily the most unassuming of the Fury clan. A quiet woman who does not crave the limelight, she has never been to one of her son’s fights, amateur or pro. In his book ‘Behind the Mask’ Tyson reveals that Amber had 14 pregnancies in total, but only four children survived. A daughter, named Ramona, was born in December 1997 but sadly died within days. While Fury’s assertive and cocksure father John was born in Tuam in Galway, his mother hails from Belfast and has so far eschewed the razzmatazz and showbiz lifestyle that her son so enjoys. She is no longer in a relationship with Tyson’s dad.

Tyson Fury recent fights

Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou

To say this was a shocker would be an understatement - the lineal heavyweight champion almost losing his unbeaten record to a boxing novice. Former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou boxed smartly to take 'The Gypsy King' right to the wire before losing a hotly disputed split decision. Fury was actually on the floor in the third, but showed his legendary powers of recovery to come back and claim the win. And of course pave the way for that blockbuster vs Usyk.

Tyson Fury vs Dereck Chisora 3

When the long-awaited match with Anthony Joshua once again fell through, a trilogy with Chisora was the consolation prize. Eight years after their last meeting, Fury and Chisora locked horns again in front of 60,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and 'The Gypsy King' delivered another masterclass. He was dominant from the very first bell, battering Chisora all over the ring with beautiful boxing and spiteful power shots. It was a mercy when referee Victor Loughlin waved it off late in Round 10, with Chisora's eye almost closed and his mouth damaged.

Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte

Billed as Fury's UK homecoming after almost four years fighting overseas, and it did not disappoint. With 94,000 fans in attendance on a star-studded April night at Wembley Stadium in London, Fury delivered a virtuoso display to stop the overmatched Whyte in six one-sided rounds. An underwhelming build-up (Whyte failed to show up until late in the promotion due to contractual issues) was left behind by an incredible performance on fight night by Fury. He carried the show before the fight and he did the same inside the ropes with a sparking display. He showed terrific boxing ability as ever to completely befuddle Whyte, before showcasing his power with that peach of an uppercut to stop his opponent just before the halfway stage.

Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder

Exactly 1100 days after dethroning Klitschko in Germany, Fury again climbed into the ring in a world title fight as a betting underdog. The fight didn’t disappoint. Played out in front of 17,698 at the Staples Center in LA, Fury boxed out of his skin against the 40-0 (39) Wilder. Making full use of an educated jab and brilliant movement, Fury bossed most of the action early on and was clearly ahead on the cards after the halfway point. Wilder finally caught up with ‘The Gypsy King’ in round nine, dropping him with a short left hook – overhand right combination. However normal service was soon resumed with Fury proving too crafty for the American for the next couple of rounds. In the twelfth, Wilder uncorked a right-left combo that looked to have knocked Fury out cold. A less patient referee may indeed have counted him out but he miraculously rose to his feet to beat the count before seeing out the end of the round. The result was eventually announced as a split draw with one judge seeing it 114-112 for Fury, another (rather inexplicably) scoring for Wilder 115-111, and British judge Phil Edwards scored it 113-113.

Their return in February 2020 was billed as ‘Unfinished Business’ but was one-way traffic with Fury producing the performance of his career to date - under the tutelage for the first time of Javan 'SugarHill' Steward and Andy Lee. Defensively excellent as always, on this night Fury planted his feet and bullied Wilder to the extent that the Alabaman's corner threw in the towel in the seventh round after witnessing their man take a merciless beating. The fight will be forever remembered for Fury’s demolition display and a vampiric, stomach churning moment in round six when Fury licked the blood off Wilder’s neck.

The trilogy fight vs Wilder 20 months later in October 2021 was a wildly exciting affair - well worth the wait. Fury, like he had been in the first meeting with Deontay, was down twice but both times he got off the floor to roar back and win via an 11th-round knockout.

In truth, apart from those two Wilder knockdowns in the fourth round (a 10-7 session for 'The Bronze Bomber') Fury was utterly dominant. He produced three knockdowns of his own, in the third, 10th and 11th rounds. The final one - via a trademark chopping right hand - closed the show in style as referee Russell Mora waved it off with Deontay clearly in no state to continue.

Tyson Fury vs Otto Wallin

On a wild night in Vegas Fury came perilously close to losing his unbeaten record against unheralded Swede Otto Wallin. The big man from Morecambe overcame a flat opening few rounds, a shocking cut and a fearless challenger to eventually take control of the fight down the stretch to eventually win via unanimous decision by scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 118-110. The biggest crisis came in round three when Wallin connected with a left hand flush on Fury’s right eye that opened a gruesome cut. If it had been stopped after that Fury would have suffered his first ‘L’ as a professional (as the cut was caused by a punch) so after keeping him in the fight he gave experienced cutman Jorge Capetillo a cash bonus the next day.

Tyson Fury vs Tom Schwarz

Following the split draw with Wilder, Fury made his Las Vegas debut as he stopped an unbeaten but limited Tom Schwarz inside two rounds in 2019. Fury’s ring entrance was noteworthy and he set the tone for the evening at the very start when coming into the ring dressed as Apollo Creed in Rocky IV. Happily for Tyson, he enjoyed a better ending than Creed did against Ivan Drago as the fight was waved off after five minutes of one-way traffic to hand him another TKO victory.

Tyson Fury
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