Tyson Fury’s most formidable opponents have been his own demons. In the ring? The Gypsy King has been almost untouchable.
Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) battled for years to earn a shot at longtime champion Wladimir Klitschko’s titles, beating solid opponents such as Derek Chisora (twice), Kevin Johnson, Steve Cunningham and Christian Hammer along the way.
When he finally stepped into the ring with Klitschko, he shocked the Ukrainian and the world by winning a wide decision to become the lineal heavyweight champ.
Fury struggled with a number of issues after that but rallied to make history again earlier this this year.
Here are five fights that helped define him:
DEREK CHISORA I
Date / site: July 23, 2011 / Wembley Arena, London
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Fury 14-0; Chisora 14-0
At stake: Chisora’s Commonwealth and British titles
Result: UD (118-111, 117-112, 117-112)
Background: Chisora was closer than Fury to a shot at Wladimir Klitschko’s heavyweight title at this point of their careers, as two proposed fights between the Londoner and the Ukrainian had fallen through the previous eight months. And Chisora was a slight favorite over Fury, meaning it was still unclear how Fury might do against a top contender. Things started fairly well for Chisora, who staggered Fury in the second round and stunned him one or two more times in the next few rounds. However, in the end, this was a coming out for Fury. The 6-foot-9 Mancunian, obviously well conditioned, boxed circles around Chisora and threw punches at a far greater rate than his overweight foe to win a wide decision and move up the ladder toward a shot at a world title. He had broken through. “This is a dream come true and it means the world to me,” Fury said. The two would meet again three years later.
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DEREK CHISORA II
Date / site: Nov. 29, 2014 / ExCel London
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Fury 22-0; Chisora 20-4
At stake: Chisora’s European and vacant British titles
Result: UD (119-108, 119-110, 119-108)
Background: Fury had already proved that he was better than Chisora in 2011 but trash talk in the build up to the fight – as well as the perception that Chisora remained a threat – made their rematch compelling, at least until they stepped into the ring. Chisora had won five consecutive fights since losing three in a row to Robert Helenius, Vitali Klitschko and David Haye but, once again, he was no match for Fury. The bigger man surprised everyone by fighting from a southpaw stance from the second round on, boxed beautifully behind his long jab and just never let Chisora get anything going. Hence the near-shutout decision in Fury’s favor. “Which other heavyweight in the world can box southpaw against a world-class fighter like Dereck, a fighter who will give any other heavyweight a tough fight?” Fury said. “I’m very proud of my performance.” A long awaited shot at Wladimir Klitschko’s titles was near.
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WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
Date / site: Nov. 28, 2015 / Espirit Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Fury 24-0; Klitschko 64-3
At stake: Klitschko’s three world titles
Result: UD (115-112, 116-111, 115-112)
Background: Klitschko was in the midst of one of the great championship runs in history when he met Fury. The Ukrainian made 18 successful defenses in the second of his two heavyweight reigns, second only to Joe Louis’ 23. And he was champion for more than nine years, again second only to Louis’ 11-plus. He hadn’t lost since Lamon Brewster stopped him in 2004. And Klitschko was around a 4-1 favorite, which are wide odds in boxing. All of that is why it was difficult to imagine Klitschko losing, even at 39 years old. And it’s why it was stunning to watch as the fight unfolded. The skillful, fleet and long Fury outboxed the champion from the beginning, using feints and movement to baffle the smaller man and consistently beat him to the punch. It wasn’t exciting to watch but it was brilliant. Fury, 27, was heavyweight champion. “This is a dream come true. We worked so hard for this. I’ve done it.” The joy wouldn’t last long.
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DEONTAY WILDER I
Date / site: Dec. 1, 2018 / Staples Center, Los Angeles
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Fury 27-0; Wilder 40-0
At stake: Wilder’s world title
Result: SD Draw (113-113, 115-111, 112-114)
Background: Fury didn’t fight for 2½ years after his victory over Klitschko as he battled his formidable personal demons, including depression. He twice pulled out of a rematch with Klitschko, tested positive for a banned substance, was later suspended and gave up his belts as he worked to get his life together. Plus, he had ballooned to more than 350 pounds. It wasn’t clear whether he’d ever fight again. Then, in one of the sport’s more remarkable comebacks, he learned to cope with his problems, got back into the gym, shed most of the excess weight and got back to fighting. He won two tune-up fights in 2018 and then agreed to meet Wilder, who had 39 KOs in his 40 fights. Did Fury still have it? Indeed he did. He outboxed a limited boxer and would’ve won had he not gone down in Rounds 9 and 12. He proved two things, though. He was back. And he was more resilient than anyone realized. The fact he got up from the second knockdown was remarkable. And he was just getting started.
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DEONTAY WILDER II
Date / site: Feb. 22, 2020 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Fury 29-0-1; Wilder 42-0-1
At stake: Wilder’s world title
Result: TKO 7
Background: Fury, disgusted with what he believed was a robbery in the first fight, was determined to prove something of which he was certain: He was the better man. He parted ways with trainer Ben Davison and hired SugarHill Steward, a disciple of uncle Emanuel Steward who Fury believed would help him fight effectively in a more aggression fashion. Fury gained weight (273 pounds at the weigh-in) and a puncher’s mentality. He even suggested he’d stop Wilder. And then he did it. Fury was in his nemesis’ face from the opening bell, never allowing Wilder the time or distance to unload his vaunted right hand. Wilder went down from a right in Round 3. He hit the canvas again from a body shot in Round 5. And, badly beaten, a barrage of unanswered punches with Wilder’s back against the ropes prompted the referee to stop the fight at 1:39 of Round 7. Fury had made it all the way back. He was the heavyweight king.
