Once underrated and with a rough body, Tyson Fury has overcome all barriers and is facing the opportunity to unify the four most prestigious belts in the world.

Fury was born into a family with a boxing tradition. His father, John Fury, used to compete bare-knuckle and then boxed both amateur and professional. Although less famous, Tommy, 25 years old, Tyson’s younger half-brother, also won 10 professional matches, including a points victory over American Youtuber Jake Paul in February 2023.

Fury was born three months premature and weighed only 450 grams at birth on August 12, 1988. Therefore, Mr. John named his son after Mike Tyson – the world heavyweight champion at that time – with the wish for protection and happiness, because the boy survived like a warrior after premature birth.

35 years later, if he wins against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today, Fury will be remembered as the greatest British boxer, the greatest heavyweight boxer in history when he becomes the first absolute champion. since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and was the first to do so in the four-belt era. Fury currently holds the WBC heavyweight title, while Usyk holds the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

Tyson Fury and coach Egan at the gym in 2006.

Fury’s first coach, Steve Egan, knew his student would become a champion from the first time they met. At 14, Fury is taller than most adults in Egan’s gym in Wythenshawe, Manchester. “One day, this guy will be world champion,” Egan predicted back in 2006.

Wins at the 2006 European Youth Championships and the 2007 British Championships signaled Fury’s potential, as British Olympic selectors began to take notice.

David Price, who later became a formidable opponent, recalled the first time he met Fury at the age of 18. “I had just won gold at the Commonwealth Games and was attending a training camp in Sheffield before the European Championships,” Price told BBC Sport . “My teammate Frankie Gavin came into the hotel room and told me there was a kid here to take my Olympic spot, and his name was Tyson Fury. I was like, ‘What?’ hearing that kind of talk is at the amateur level”.

When fighting Fury a few weeks later, Price realized the potential of his fellow junior boxer, although it was not obvious. “Tyson is really young, just a beginner. So I can’t say I know he will become world champion,” Price said. “I fought other up-and-comers at that time, and was always able to hit accurately. But it wasn’t easy for me to do that with Tyson. He was very focused.”

Fury (red hat) in his 2006 loss to Price.

A few months later, the two boxers fought again in the finals of the Northwest region of the Amateur Boxing Federation. Price noticed that his junior improved significantly in a short time, but with pride and burning desire, he still beat Fury. “He wrote to Boxing News magazine that he would defeat me in this tournament. When I heard the news, I was angry and wanted to teach Fury a lesson,” Price explained.

Price won that match on point, then later won a bronze medal at Beijing 2008. Meanwhile, Fury could not join the Irish team and became disillusioned with going to the Olympics. Fury’s amateur career ended with 31 wins in 35 matches. But he doesn’t have an Olympic title, so Price is the one who turned professional and is considered the next great hope of the British heavyweight division.

Overcome doubts

Before today’s Usyk match, in terms of stature, Fury was rated higher. But a lackluster performance and controversial victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in October 2023 made things more unpredictable. However, this is not the first time Fury has been doubted, and every time he has responded with victory.

In the eighth match of his career – the British championship match, Fury was lucky to win on points against John McDermott – whom Price then defeated in the first round. “McDermott should have won against Fury,” Price said. “But after that performance, people were more inclined to consider me a potential fighter. Fury is a bit clumsy and doesn’t seem to be very technically perfect.”

Fury’s unbeaten streak continues, but his ability to challenge for the top is in doubt. The British boxer was knocked down by unknown opponent Neven Pajkic in 2011, then received the same outcome against Steve Cunningham in 2013. “Back then, no one thought Fury could reach the world title,” said Carl Frampton – Northern boxer. Ireland has known Fury since his amateur days – said.

But his defensive skills, elusive agility and remarkable recovery have helped Fury advance and maintain his unbeaten record. The British boxer won 34 out of 35 professional matches, with a draw against Deontay Wilder in 2018 being just a rare hiccup.

When Ngannou’s left hand caused Fury to fall for the seventh time in his professional career in October, the boxer nicknamed “The Gypsy King” quickly stood up, regained focus and continued to win . He also did so against Pakjic, Cunningham and four times in three matches against Wilder.

Fury (left) was knocked down by Ngannou in a heavyweight boxing match at Boulevard Hall, Riyadh on the evening of October 28. Photo: AFP

Price believes Fury will perform best when on the wall. “The narrow points win over Ngannou is probably the best thing that could happen to Fury at this stage,” Price said. “Fury suffered those doubts again. Something he went through from the beginning of his career and had to prove everyone, including me, wrong.”

The double victory over Wilder marked Fury’s return after struggling with mental health issues and skyrocketing weight. In terms of professional achievements, the British boxer’s most resounding victory was defeating “Dr. Steel Hammer” Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf in 2015.

The victory over Klitschko saw Fury capture the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO world titles, with three of them (IBF, WBA and WBO) currently belonging to Usyk before today’s fight in Riyadh. “People forget the match with Klitschko. To me, it was one of the greatest victories by a British boxer in history,” Frampton said.

Aesthetically, Fury does not look like a typical athlete at the highest level. “You can’t beat a fat guy,” the British boxer taunted Klitschko before the rematch, which was later canceled.

Taking off his shirt and proudly showing off his belly is a common occurrence at Fury’s press conferences. In many ways, the lack of muscles or strong body makes British fans love the 35-year-old boxer. He was hailed as a fans’ champion, taking phone calls from fans when his wife’s mobile phone number was leaked online or buying photos for English football fans at Euro 2016.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at the weigh-in before the unification match of four heavyweight boxing titles in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 17. Photo: AP

Controversy and apologies have occurred frequently throughout Fury’s career. The British boxer was criticized for comments disparaging women, the Jewish community and gay people. After defeating Klitschko, he tested positive for a banned steroid and blamed it on eating uncastrated wild boar meat. Fury is also linked to Irish gangster Daniel Kinahan, who served as a consultant to the boxer. But like in the ring, the 35-year-old boxer quickly escaped the pressure and headed to the next goal.

If he wins against Usyk today, many people think Fury will retire. But the 35-year-old boxer affirmed the opposite, promising a rematch with Usyk, two fights with fellow boxer Anthony Joshua and another rematch with Ngannou before hanging up his gloves.

“Predicting Fury’s next move is as difficult as ever. But no matter how long Fury stays in boxing, you can always expect a mix of good, bad and controversy.” The controversy will continue to take place,” BBC Sport commented.