The world of boxing is always full of stories of people who defy all odds to be the best and achieve their dreams. Although he did not start his career as assertively as Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, there is a new face among the names who managed to conquer the world: Tyson Fury.
1. How Did He Get the Best Name in the Boxing World?
Tyson Luke Fury, nicknamed the Gypsy King, was born on August 12, 1988. Fury's father, John Fury, named his son after the legendary heavyweight boxing champion: Mike Tyson. In our opinion, Tyson Fury is one of the most interesting names in the boxing world.
2. Origin of Fury goes to Ireland
Although Tyson Fury is British, born in Manchester, his family roots extend to Ireland. While his grandfather was a nomadic Tuam native, his mother is of Belfast origin. All these connections caused him to be known as the Gypsy King in England. Fury is proud of his nickname.
Tyson Luke Fury (born 12 August 1988) is a British professional boxer. He has held the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title since 2020. Previously, he held the unified heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016, and the Ring magazine title twice between 2015 and 2022. He also held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title during his first reign as champion.
3. He comes from a family of boxers
Irish blood isn't the only thing running through the Fury family's veins. Fury's father made a name for himself in the 1980s, first in bare-knuckle boxing and then in professional boxing, under the name Gypsy John Fury. Tyson Fury also has many boxing cousins. These include renowned heavyweights Hughie Fury, Nathan Forman, former WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee, and light heavyweight Hosea Burton.
4. His Father Got a Prison Sentence
In 2011, Fury's father was sentenced to 11 years in prison in Manchester for not being able to control his anger. John Fury was convicted after attacking his friend in an argument over a bottle of beer 12 years ago. Father Fury was released from prison in February 2015.
5. Private Life
Tyson Fury met his wife Paris Fury when he was 17 years old. They soon started dating Paris, who was 15 years old at the time. Continuing the true Irish gypsy tradition, Fury was living in a caravan at that time. The couple had five children after their marriage.
6. His brother joined Love Island
As we mentioned in the previous sections of our article, Tyson's family is full of professional boxers. Tyson's younger brother Tommy Fury is also one of those who devoted himself to this profession. With his own boxing successes and the fame coming from his family, he participated in the Love Island competition, known as England's Survivor, in 2019 with his girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague. He came second in the competition.
7. Tyson Fury Was Born a Premature Baby
We can say that Tyson Fury started fighting from the moment he was born. Doctors commented that Fury's chance of survival was low, as he was born prematurely, three months earlier than normal. Because Fury was born weighing only 450 grams. His father deemed the name Tyson appropriate for Fury, who survived this war and clung to life.
8. He Left School At 11
Like many kids, Tyson Fury didn't like school very much. But unlike other children, his family allowed him to leave school at a young age. After leaving school, Tyson started working in the asphalt business with his father and brother.
9. Couldn't Participate in the 2008 Olympics
In the prime of his amateur boxing career, Tyson Fury decided to participate in the 2008 Summer Olympics. But Britain had already selected a candidate for the weight in which Tyson competed, so he never achieved this goal.
10. He Fought Depression
In addition to his successful professional boxing career, Tyson Fury is also known for his long battle with depression. Fury said goodbye to the boxing world for a long period of 2.5 years, citing crazy thoughts that he could not control. But fortunately, he overcame depression and turned his life around.
11. He Battled Substance Abuse
Substance abuse was one of the main things that dragged Tyson Fury into a 2.5-year-long depression. Although Tyson Fury says he has never smoked a cigarette in his life, he admits he has struggled with drug addiction in the past.
12. Attempted Suicide
At the lowest point of his life in 2016, Tyson Fury nearly took his own life. Participating in Joe Rogan's program, Tyson stated that he wanted to die every day he woke up at that time. Fury said that he reached a speed of 300 km/h and drove towards a wall, but he paused thinking about his family and children.
13. His Dad Wants to Fight Dana White
UFC president Dana White once said that Tyson Fury could not last long in the UFC. We have seen many times that fathers protect their sons, but John Fury's approach was a little different. John Fury said he is the fittest 54-year-old man on the planet right now and added that he could fight Dana White anywhere, under any conditions.
14. Weight Problems
Tyson Fury was always a heavyweight. But during difficult times in his life, he gained weight, which was even more than a heavyweight. Stating that he once weighed over 175 kilograms, Fury dropped to 115 kilograms in less than 2 years with the ketogenic diet.
15. Controversial Decision Against Deontay Wilder
After two excellent return bouts in late 2018, Tyson Fury challenged Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title. The result of the match, which lasted 12 rounds and went from side to side, was declared as a draw. Fury and his fans thought that their side deserved the victory.