Tyson Fury: More Than a Heavyweight Boxing Champion
Tyson Fury can be thought of as far more than just a heavyweight boxing champion. While he’s possibly one of the best to ever do it, his story is what makes him so adored by boxing fans, as well as those with a lesser interest in the sport. Everybody loves a comeback story, and Fury’s is one of epic proportions.
Fury made his professional boxing debut back in 2008, which ended in victory for the hard hitting Gypsy King. Fury then went on to win his next six fights within a seven month period, knocking out all opponents within 4 rounds. This impressive streak earned him a shot at the English heavyweight title against John McDermott, which the Gypsy King went on to Controversially win.
The decision was reviewed by the British Boxing Board of Control, and a rematch booked as the decision by referee Terry O’Connor was rejected. Fury went on to secure two more victories before his rematch with McDermott, in which all controversies were silenced as the Manchester local slept McDermott.
Over the next 6 years, Fury would go on defeating all competitors, while steadily rising up the heavyweight boxing rankings. In 2015, what felt a lot like the culmination of all his hard work, the Gypsy King faced Wladimir Klitschko in a heavyweight world title showdown for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, Lineal, and The Ring Heavyweight Titles.
After a cagey 12 rounds, Fury defied bookmakers from across the world, and won the bout, which in turn meant that he had become the unified world champion. The Gypsy King’s work rate and activity was what separated him from the Ukrainian on the event, who was very gracious in defeat, calling Fury the better man on the night.
It was after Fury’s title winning fights that things began taking a turn for the worst for the Englishman. After months of discussing the possibility of a rematch with Klitschko, Fury began experiencing issues regarding his motivation to fight, and tested positive for a banned substance known as nandrolone, that appeared to be in his system before his initial fight with Klitschko.
On 23 September, 2016, Fury postponed the fight again after being declared medically unfit. Days later, ESPN reported that Fury had tested positive for traces of cocaine, and stories began emerging of Fury’s struggles with his mental health. The once unified heavyweight title holder went on to relinquish his titles to focus on his mental health.
What makes this story so special is that the Gypsy King was able to come back from what began looking like an early retirement. After issues with the UKAD and the BBBofC, Fury announced in 2018 that he would be reapplying for his boxing license, and in late 2018, went on to begin his comeback trail by defeating Serefi and Pianeta, earning a challenge at the WBC heavyweight title again Deontay Wilder.
In what feels like the comeback of the century, Fury went on to beat Wilder three times, meaning he had regained his WBC and The Ring titles. Fury is now set to fight Dillian Whyte in what is guaranteed to be a blockbuster match up.
