Tyson Fury isn’t just an incredible heavyweight boxer, he also possesses incredible powers of recovery.
The 35-year-old man mountain from Morecambe in Lancashire has battled huge weight gain and mental health demons to resurrect his career at the highest level. But he has also stared down defeat more than once inside the ring and come out victorious.
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‘The Gypsy King’ (34-1-1) is not just a man capable of putting his opponents on the deck, he has also been there himself eight times as a professional. But every single time he has risen to hear the final bell.
Every Tyson Fury knockdown
Fury’s eight knockdowns have come in six pro fights. Four of them against one opponent. Let’s look back at them:
#1 vs Neven Pajkic – November 12, 2011
‘The Gypsy King’ hit the deck for the first time as a professional at the unlikely venue of Event City in Trafford Park, Manchester in late 2011. The man dishing out the punishment was Bosnian-born Canadian heavyweight Neven Pajkic – who like Fury was 16-0 going into their 12-rounder for the Commonwealth title.
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Fury was down from a right hand to the head in Round 2, but would roar back in style to put his opponent down twice in the next session to claim a stoppage victory and preserve his unbeaten record.
#2 vs Steve Cunningham – April 20, 2013
Fury’s first appearance in the hallowed boxing confines of Madison Square Garden would ultimately end in victory, but former cruiserweight king Steve Cunningham would give him all he could handle along the way.
The future world heavyweight champion was sent crashing to the canvas with a massive overhand right from Cunningham in Round 2, as the American star took him out to deep waters early in their contest at MSG.
Fury’s size though proved crucial as he recovered to outmuscle Cunningham and wear him down before dealing the KO blow in the seventh with a mauling short right hook.
#3 vs Deontay Wilder – December 1, 2018
Fury’s first big test in his amazing comeback from those demons came as he challenged fearsome WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder at Staples Center in Los Angeles in December 2018.
‘The Gypsy King’ boxed brilliantly throughout to befuddle the limited Wilder, but ‘The Bronze Bomber’ twice produced that incredible equalising power to deposit him on his back.
The first knockdown came in Round 9 when he was sent to the canvas by a flurry of punches, culminating with a big right. Fury though was clearly still in possession of his senses and up at eight to box his way back into the bout.
#4 vs Deontay Wilder – December 1, 2018
The most famous knockdown of Fury’s pro career – that incredible ‘The Undertaker’ recover in the 12th and final round of that first meeting with Wilder.
We were inside the first minute of the closing session when Wilder unleashed a right hand followed by a massive left hook that sent Fury crashing to the deck. He appeared to be out cold, laid on his back. But then, incredibly, he rose at nine to fight again.
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Astonishingly, by the time the final bell sounded, Fury was right back in the fight swinging away, and he would hear that bell to claim a draw that he still disputes to this day. One of boxing’s greatest ever recoveries – watch it again below…
As commentator John Rawling said: “How on earth did he get up from that?”
Only Fury knows
#5 vs Deontay Wilder – October 9, 2021
Fury had blasted out Wilder in their rematch in February 2020, but he would have much more difficulty with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ when they engaged in a trilogy match in Las Vegas in late 2021.
Things appeared to be heading towards another convincing success for ‘The Gypsy King’ when he had Wilder on the floor in Round 3. But in the very next round the Morecambe man would himself be swimming in very deep waters – twice.
The first bad moment for Tyson came with just under a minute remaining in that fourth as Wilder detonated a massive right hand off his forehead. The reaction from Fury was delayed but down he went, to take a count of eight. He would rise though, of course he would.
#6 vs Deontay Wilder – October 9, 2021
If Fury thought that was the extent of his problems in that torrid Round 4, he was wrong. Wilder would have him on the floor once again – this time with only 15 seconds remaining to the bell. This time the final punch was a short right hand.
Once again Fury would rise, and once again he would recover to hear the bell. Wilder’s chance of glory had gone as ‘The Gypsy King’ wrestled control once again en route to an 11th-round knockout in a quite brilliant fight.
#7 vs Francis Ngannou – October 28, 2023
Fury’s most recent knockdown came in his most recent fight – and in terms of his reputation it was by far the most damaging.
‘The Gypsy King’ was expected to make short work of former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou – a man having his very first fight as a professional boxer.
Whether Fury was undercooked, or whether he underestimated his opponent, things did not go according to play for the Brit and the most embarrassing moment of all came in Round 3 as he was clobbered by a counter left hook and deposited on the seat of his pants.
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Unusually Fury rose very quickly – a sign perhaps of the embarrassment that came with this knockdown. It was the first real sign that Ngannou would not be going away, indeed he acquitted himself brilliantly all night.
In the end Tyson would punch out a disputed split decision victory, but it came at a cost in terms of the aura that surrounded him.
#8 vs Oleksandr Usyk – May 18, 2024
The eighth knockdown of Fury’s career would be the one which led to his first ever professional defeat.
‘The Gypsy King’ appeared to be in complete control of his heavyweight title unification showdown vs Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, boxing beautifully through seven rounds.
But then Usyk turned the tide by showing incredible heart and skill, notably in a tumultuous ninth round.
Late in the session Fury was clobbered by a massive Usyk left hand which left him held up by the ropes. He staggered across the ring as Usyk continued his assault, and – once again held up only by the ropes – he was subjected to a standing eight count.
The knockdown would prove crucial in the final reckoning – giving Usyk a 10-8 round and proving the difference in the closest of split-decision results.
