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 force in the heavyweight division, he held multiple world championships throughout his career. These include unified titles (2015-2016), the Ring magazine title (twice between 2015 and 2022), and the WBC title (2020-2024). Fury also held the IBO title during his first reign as champion, solidifying his place as one of boxing's top competitors.
December 1997: Family Tragedy
In December 1997, Tyson Fury's sister, Ramona, was born but died within days, an event that deeply affected Fury.
2006: Defeat by David Price
In 2006, Tyson Fury participated in the senior national championships in England but was beaten by David Price.
2008: Olympic Snub
In 2008, Tyson Fury was not selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympics, as David Price was chosen instead.
2011: Father's Imprisonment
In 2011, Tyson Fury's father, John, who had been training him, was jailed, leading his uncle Hughie Fury to take over training.
September 2013: Haye Fight Cancellation
In September 2013, David Haye pulled out of his scheduled fight against Tyson Fury due to a cut during training.
February 2014: Second Haye Fight Cancellation
In February 2014, David Haye pulled out of the rescheduled fight against Tyson Fury due to a shoulder injury.
July 2014: Chisora Fight Postponed
In July 2014, Tyson Fury's rematch with Derek Chisora for the European and British heavyweight titles was postponed due to Chisora sustaining a fractured hand in training.
2014: Miscarriage Before Ustinov Bout
In 2014, Paris suffered a miscarriage before Fury's cancelled bout with Ustinov.
2014: Uncle's Death
In 2014, Tyson Fury's uncle Hughie Fury passed away and Peter Fury stepped in to train him.
February 2015: Fury's Win Over Hammer Disqualified
In December 2017, as part of an agreement with UKAD, Tyson Fury's February 2015 win over Christian Hammer was disqualified due to nandrolone findings.
February 2015: Sample Taken
In February 2015, the sample that led to doping charges for Tyson Fury and Hughie Fury in June 2016 was taken.
October 2015: Klitschko vs. Fury Fight Postponed
In October 2015, the fight between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko, initially scheduled for October 24, was postponed to November 28, 2015, due to Klitschko sustaining a calf injury.
December 2015: Start of Fury's Period of Ineligibility
In December 2015, Tyson Fury's two-year period of ineligibility was backdated to December 13, 2015, and therefore expired at midnight on December 12, 2017, due to delays in the results management.
December 2015: Fury Stripped of IBF Title
On December 8, 2015, Tyson Fury was stripped of the IBF title because the contract for the Klitschko fight included a rematch clause, preventing Fury from facing the IBF's mandatory challenger. He held the IBF belt for only 10 days.
April 2016: Statement on Racial Abuse as an Irish Traveller
In April 2016, Fury spoke about the racial abuse he receives as an Irish Traveller, highlighting bias against his community.
April 2016: Klitschko Rematch Announced
On April 8, 2016, the rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko was announced, scheduled for July 9, 2016, in Manchester. Fury admitted to having "no motivation" and gaining a significant amount of weight after the first fight.
June 2016: Nandrolone Charges Brought Against Fury
In June 2016, charges related to nandrolone findings were officially brought against Tyson Fury, despite the sample being taken in February 2015.
June 2016: Fury Charged with Doping Violation
On June 24, 2016, Tyson Fury and his cousin, Hughie Fury, were charged by UK Anti-Doping "with presence of a prohibited substance", namely nandrolone, from a sample taken 16 months previously in February 2015.
July 2016: Fury vs Klitschko II Postponed
On June 24, 2016, it was announced that the fight between Fury and Klitschko was postponed to a later date due to Fury sustaining a sprained ankle in training. On the same day, Fury and his cousin were charged with presence of a prohibited substance.
October 2016: Fury Discusses Mental Health Struggles
In October 2016, Tyson Fury opened up about his struggles with depression, substance abuse, and mental health issues in an interview with Rolling Stone, stating he "didn't want to live anymore."
October 2016: Fury Vacates World Titles
In October 2016, Tyson Fury vacated the WBA (Unified), WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, citing his inability to defend them due to medical unfitness and ongoing investigations into doping allegations. He wanted to focus on recovery and mental health.
October 2016: Fury's Boxing License Suspended
Shortly after Tyson Fury announced a comeback date, the British Boxing Board of Control publicly announced that Fury was still suspended and would not be fighting in May. This was confirmed by their general secretary Robert Smith. The ban originally started in October 2016.
May 2017: BBBofC Adjourns Fury's Case
In May 2017, Robert Smith of the BBBofC stated that Tyson Fury's case was 'complex' and had been adjourned.
September 2017: Fury Challenges UKAD for a Reply
In September 2017, Tyson Fury challenged UKAD to either ban him or reinstate his boxing license, believing he was being treated unfairly due to the length of the investigation.
November 2017: Fury's Reflection on Past Struggles
In November 2017, Fury spoke about his past struggles with depression, mental health problems, and substance abuse, expressing a desire to inspire others with his story.
November 2017: National Anti-Doping Panel Hearing Scheduled
In November 2017, a National Anti-Doping Panel hearing was scheduled to take place in December regarding Fury's case. Fury signed with MTK Global.
December 2017: UKAD Resolves Charges with Fury
In December 2017, UKAD announced an agreement with the Furys and the BBBoC to resolve the doping charges. Tyson's February 2015 win over Christian Hammer was disqualified, but his Klitschko triumph was not. The two year period of ineligibility expired at midnight on December 12, 2017.
December 2017: Anti-Doping Hearing Date Set
In December 2017, a hearing start date of December 11 was set for Tyson Fury's anti-doping case, with a potential outcome being a four-year ban. Fury did not attend the hearing.
February 2018: UKAD Reveals Spending on Fury Case
In February 2018, UKAD revealed they spent £585,659 on the Fury case. £576,587 was paid to London law firm Bird & Bird, barrister fees came to £1,130 and around £8,000 was paid for laboratory work.
February 2018: Fury Stripped of The Ring Title
On February 1, 2018, Tyson Fury was stripped of his last remaining title, The Ring magazine's heavyweight championship.
2018: Loss of Child on Comeback Fight Day
In 2018, Paris lost another child on the day of Fury's comeback fight against Seferi.
July 2020: Fury-Wilder Trilogy Fight Tentatively Scheduled
After Deontay Wilder activated the clause for a second rematch with Tyson Fury after his loss, the trilogy fight was tentatively scheduled for July 2020, but was later postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2020: Fury Foregoes Wilder Trilogy Fight
On 12 October 2020, Fury announced that he was foregoing a trilogy fight with Wilder after organizers failed to deliver a date for the event in 2020.
May 2021: Fury-Joshua Fight in Doubt, Wilder Trilogy Mandated
On 17 May 2021, the proposed unification fight between Fury and Joshua was thrown into serious doubt when an arbitration judge ruled that Fury had to honour a contractual clause mandating a third fight with Wilder.
October 2023: Fury vs Ngannou Fight Delays Usyk Bout
In October 2023, Fury's bout with Francis Ngannou caused a delay in the originally scheduled December 23rd fight against Oleksandr Usyk, pushing it to February 17, 2024.
February 2024: Usyk Fight Postponed Due to Injury
In February 2024, the fight against Oleksandr Usyk was postponed again after Fury suffered a cut in sparring, requiring medical attention and stitching.
