Major Controversies Surrounding Tyson Fury: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Tyson Fury—discover key moments of controversy.

Tyson Fury is a British professional boxer renowned for holding multiple world heavyweight championships. His accomplishments include unified titles (2015-2016), two reigns with The Ring magazine title (2015-2022), and holding the WBC title (2020-2024). He also previously held the IBO title during his initial championship reign, solidifying his place as a prominent figure in heavyweight boxing.

Sections (5)

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

September 2009: Fury fought John McDermott for the English Heavyweight Title

On 11 September 2009, Tyson Fury fought John McDermott for the English heavyweight title and won via a controversial points decision. The controversy resulted in the British Boxing Board of Control mandating three judges for all English title fights.

February 2015: UK Anti-Doping Sample

In February 2015, a sample was taken from Tyson Fury that later resulted in charges from the UK Anti-Doping agency for the presence of nandrolone. The charges were announced on June 24, 2016.

February 2015: Disqualification of Tyson's win over Christian Hammer

Tyson's February 2015 win over Christian Hammer was disqualified due to the agreement with UKAD.

December 2015: Period of Ineligibility Backdated

On December 12, 2017, UKAD backdated the two year period of ineligibility to December 13, 2015.

2015: Scrutiny of Past Comments

After Tyson Fury became world champion in 2015, the British media began to scrutinise what he had said in the past. He received criticism for comments he made denouncing abortion, paedophilia, and homosexuality.

2015: Nomination for BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

In 2015, Tyson Fury was nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. Fury ultimately came fourth in the SPOTY award and apologized to anyone that had been hurt by his past comments.

May 2016: Fury criticised for controversial comments and apologises

In May 2016, Tyson Fury faced criticism for comments made about transgender people and "Zionist Jewish people." The interview was deleted, and Fury apologised, stating his words may have hurt people and that media scrutiny caused him to act out. He promised to uphold the highest standards as an ambassador for British boxing.

June 2016: Fury Charged by UK Anti-Doping

In June 2016, on June 24, Tyson Fury and his cousin, Hughie Fury, were charged by UK Anti-Doping for the presence of nandrolone in a sample taken in February 2015. Both Tyson and Hughie denied the charge.

June 2016: Delays in results management

In June 2016, there were delays in results management that meant charges were not brought in respect of the nandrolone findings until June 2016, according to UKAD.

October 2016: Fury Speaks About Mental Health Struggles

In October 2016, on October 4, Tyson Fury spoke with Rolling Stone about his struggles with depression, stating he had been dealing with personal demons and didn't want to live anymore, also admitting to drinking and using cocaine. He also disclosed he was seeing psychiatrists who diagnosed him with a version of bipolar disorder.

December 2017: National Anti-Doping Panel hearing set for Fury

In December 2017, a National Anti-Doping Panel hearing was due to take place regarding Fury. The hearing start date was set for December 11th, with a potential outcome being Fury facing a four-year ban. Fury did not attend the hearing. According to Robert Smith of the BBBofC, a hearing was set for a date in December 2017.

December 2017: UKAD resolves charges against the Furys

On December 12, 2017, UKAD announced they had agreed with the Furys and the BBBoC to resolve the charges. The two-year period of ineligibility was backdated to December 13, 2015, and therefore expired at midnight on December 12, 2017. Tyson's February 2015 win over Christian Hammer was disqualified but his Klitschko triumph was not.

February 2018: UKAD reveals expenses 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. UKAD believed they could regain £250,000 through legal insurance.

2018: Irish High Court Judge Links Kinahan to Organised Crime

In 2018, an Irish High Court judge stated that Daniel Kinahan is a senior figure in organised crime on a global scale. This information is relevant due to Fury's association with Kinahan in 2020 and later years.

June 2020: Fury Publicly Thanks Daniel Kinahan and later parts ways with him

In June 2020, Tyson Fury publicly thanked Daniel Kinahan for his role in brokering a potential fight with Anthony Joshua. Later, on June 24, 2020, it was announced that Fury had parted ways with Kinahan as an advisor after controversy surrounding Kinahan's alleged ties to organized crime.

February 2022: Fury Photographed with Daniel Kinahan

In February 2022, Tyson Fury was photographed alongside Daniel Kinahan in Dubai, reigniting controversy due to Kinahan's alleged connections to organized crime.

June 2022: Fury Denied Entry to the United States

In June 2022, Tyson Fury was reportedly refused entry to the United States due to his links with Daniel Kinahan, who is subject to sanctions by the U.S. government's Office of Foreign Assets Control.