Challenges Faced by Tyson Fury: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Tyson Fury faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Tyson Fury is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2024. A dominant heavyweight, he held multiple world championships, including unified titles (2015-2016), the Ring magazine title (twice between 2015 and 2022), and the WBC title (2020-2024). Fury also briefly held the IBO title, solidifying his place as a significant figure in modern boxing.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 1997: Fury's sister Ramona died

In December 1997, Tyson Fury's sister, Ramona, was born but died within days. This event deeply affected Fury, who was nine years old at the time.

2006: Fury participated in the senior national championships

In 2006, Tyson Fury participated in the senior national championships in England, representing Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy, but was defeated by David Price.

2008: Fury missed the Olympics

In 2008, Tyson Fury did not get the chance to represent Great Britain at the Olympics because each country is restricted to one boxer per weight division, and David Price was selected.

2011: Fury's father jailed, Fury trained by uncle

In 2011, Tyson Fury's father, John Fury, who had been training him, was jailed. After this, Fury was trained by his uncle Hughie Fury.

September 2013: Haye pulled out of the fight with Fury

On September 21, 2013, David Haye pulled out of his fight with Tyson Fury, scheduled for September 28, due to a cut above his eye during training.

February 2014: Haye pulled out of the fight with Fury again

In February 2014, David Haye pulled out of his fight with Tyson Fury for a second time on February 8, stating that he had a career-threatening shoulder injury which required surgery.

July 2014: Chisora Pulls Out of Fight Due to Injury

In July 2014, Derek Chisora was forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Tyson Fury due to a fractured hand sustained during training. Alexander Ustinov was briefly considered as a replacement, but the fight was ultimately rescheduled for November.

2014: Fury's uncle Hughie died

In 2014, Tyson Fury's uncle Hughie Fury died. Afterwards, Fury was trained by his other uncle, Peter Fury.

2014: Paris Suffers Miscarriage Before Ustinov Bout

In 2014, Tyson Fury's wife, Paris, suffered a miscarriage before Fury's cancelled bout with Ustinov.

February 2015: Fury's Win Disqualified

In February 2015, Tyson Fury's win over Christian Hammer was disqualified but his triumph over Klitschko was not. This was due to elevated nandrolone levels.

February 2015: Fury Sample Taken

In February 2015, a sample was taken from Tyson Fury which later, in June 2016, was found to contain the prohibited substance nandrolone, leading to charges by UK Anti-Doping.

October 2015: Fury-Klitschko Fight Postponed

In October 2015, the fight between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko, initially scheduled for October 24, was postponed to November 28 after Klitschko sustained a calf injury.

December 2015: Period of Ineligibility Backdated

In December 2015, a two-year period of ineligibility for Tyson Fury was backdated to December 13, 2015, and expired at midnight on December 12, 2017.

December 2015: Fury Stripped of IBF Title

In December 2015, specifically on December 8, the IBF stripped Tyson Fury of its title due to a rematch clause in the contract with Klitschko, which prevented Fury from facing the IBF's mandatory challenger.

April 2016: Fury speaks about racial abuse

In April 2016, Tyson Fury discussed the racial abuse he experiences as an Irish Traveller, expressing that he feels bias against his community and that his success is not welcomed. He identifies as a Gypsy and feels he is viewed negatively despite being a champion.

April 2016: Fury and Klitschko Rematch Announced

In April 2016, the rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko was announced, scheduled for July 9 in Manchester. However, Fury admitted to a lack of motivation and significant weight gain after the first fight.

June 2016: Charges Brought in Respect to Nandrolone Findings

In June 2016, due to delays in results management, charges were brought against Tyson and Hughie Fury regarding nandrolone findings.

June 2016: Fury Charged with Prohibited Substance

In June 2016, specifically on June 24, Tyson Fury and his cousin, Hughie Fury, were charged by UK Anti-Doping with the presence of nandrolone, a prohibited substance, from a sample taken in February 2015.

July 2016: Fury-Klitschko Rematch Postponed Again

In July 2016, specifically on June 24, the rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko was postponed for a second time, due to Fury sustaining a sprained ankle in training.

October 2016: Fury Vacates World Titles

In October 2016, Tyson Fury decided to vacate the WBA (Unified), WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles pending investigation into his anti-doping case and being deemed medically unfit to fight. He expressed his belief that titles should be lost in the ring but acknowledged his inability to defend them at the time.

October 2016: Fury Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles

In October 2016, Tyson Fury revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that he was battling severe depression and struggling with personal demons, leading to substance abuse and a loss of motivation. He expressed a desire to no longer live and disclosed a diagnosis of a version of bipolar disorder.

October 2016: Fury Still Suspended

In October 2016, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) publicly announced that Tyson Fury was still suspended and would not be fighting in May, confirming that there had been no contact from Fury or his representatives since the ban started.

May 2017: Fury's Case Adjourned

In May 2017, Robert Smith, general secretary of the BBBofC, stated that Tyson Fury's case was "complex" and had been adjourned.

September 2017: Fury Challenges UKAD to Resolve Case

In September 2017, Tyson Fury challenged UKAD to either ban him or reinstate his boxing license, expressing his belief that he was being treated unfairly as the investigation had been ongoing for over a year.

November 2017: Anti-Doping Panel Hearing Scheduled

In November 2017, BBC Sport reported that a National Anti-Doping Panel hearing regarding Tyson Fury's case was scheduled to take place in December. It was also reported that UKAD could face potential insolvency due to the legal battle, and Fury signed with MTK Global.

November 2017: Fury Discusses Mental Health and Future Legacy

In November 2017, Tyson Fury said he wanted to tell his story and inspire others by discussing his past mental health struggles and vowed not to "play a character anymore".

December 2017: UKAD Agrees to Resolve Charges with Furys

In December 2017, UKAD announced they had agreed with the Furys and the BBBoC to resolve the doping charges, with Tyson Fury's two-year period of ineligibility backdated to December 13, 2015, expiring on December 12, 2017.

December 2017: Fury Hearing Start Date Set

In December 2017, a hearing start date of December 11 was set for Tyson Fury's case, with a potential outcome being a four-year ban. Fury did not attend the hearing.

February 2018: Fury Stripped of The Ring Title

In February 2018, Tyson Fury was stripped of his last remaining title, The Ring magazine's heavyweight championship.

February 2018: UKAD Spent £585,659 on Fury Case

In February 2018, UKAD revealed they spent £585,659 on the Tyson Fury case. Most was paid to London law firm Bird & Bird, but also included barrister fees and laboratory work.

2018: Paris Loses Child on Day of Fury's Comeback Fight

In 2018, Fury's wife, Paris, lost another child on the day of his comeback fight against Seferi.

July 2020: Fury-Wilder trilogy fight scheduled for July 2020

After Wilder's loss to Fury in the first rematch, Deontay Wilder activated the clause for a second rematch fight with Tyson Fury. The trilogy fight was tentatively scheduled for July 2020, but this was later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 2020: Fury foregoes Wilder trilogy fight

On October 12, 2020, Fury announced he was foregoing the trilogy fight with Wilder after organizers failed to secure a date in 2020.

May 2021: Fury-Joshua unification fight in doubt; Fury mandated to fight Wilder

On May 17, 2021, the proposed unification fight between Fury and Joshua was cast into serious doubt when an arbitration judge ruled that Fury must honor a contractual clause mandating a third fight with Wilder.

February 2024: Fury-Usyk Fight Postponed Due to Injury

In February 2024, the Fury-Usyk fight, originally scheduled for December 2023 and then delayed to February 17, was postponed again after Fury suffered a cut in sparring.