Editor’s Note: This is an updated version of an article originally published in 2020.
Tyson Fury has proven time and time again over the years that he is the #1 heavyweight boxer of his time.
The “King of Gypsy” run for dominance began with his surprisingly easy decision against longtime reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, interrupted when Fury spent two and a half years fighting. with his demons and then culminates with a series of dominating performances that leave no doubt the two – the superiority of the time owner.
Here are five fights that helped define Fury:
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
Date / place: November 28, 2015 / Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany
File: Fury 24-0; Klitschko 64-3
threatened: Klitschko’s three world titles
Result: UD (115-112, 116-111, 115-112)
Story: Klitschko was in the middle of one of the great championships in history when he met Fury. The Ukrainian made 18 successful defenses in the second of his two heavyweight dominations, second only to Joe Louis ’23. And he’s been champion for over nine years, again second only to Louis’ 11 or more. He hasn’t lost since Lamon Brewster stopped him in 2004. And Klitschko is a 4-1 favorite, very high odds in boxing. All of which is why it’s hard to imagine Klitschko losing, despite being 39 years old. And that’s why it’s so amazing to watch the fight unfold. The skillful, agile, and long-lasting Fury beat the champion from the start, using feints and movements to defeat the smaller man and repeatedly beat him with one punch. It’s not fun to watch but it’s amazing. Fury, 27, is the heavyweight champion. “This is a dream come true. We worked really hard on this. I’m done.” The joy won’t last long.
DEONTAY WILDER I
Date / place: December 1, 2018 / Staples Center, Los Angeles
File: Fury 27-0; wild 40-0
threatened: World title of Wilder
Result: Draw SD (113-113, 115-111, 112-114)
Story: Fury hasn’t fought in 2 and a half years after his victory over Klitschko as he battled his own formidable demons, including depression. He twice withdrew from the rematch against Klitschko, tested positive for a banned substance, then was suspended and relinquished the belt as he struggled to get his life back. Plus, he’s skyrocketed to over 350 pounds. It is unclear if he will ever fight again. Then, in one of the sport’s more remarkable comebacks, he learned to deal with his problems, returned to the gym, lost most of his extra pounds, and returned to the gym. fight again. He won two tuning matches in 2018 and then agreed to meet Wilder, who had 39 KOs in his 40 games. Does Fury still have it? Indeed he did. He took down a limited boxer and would have won if he hadn’t been knocked out in Rounds 9 and 12. However, he proved two things. He’s back. And he was more resilient than anyone realised. The fact that he got up after his second knockdown is remarkable. And he’s just getting started.
DEONTAY WILDER II
Date / place: February 22, 2020 / MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Assignment: heavyweight
File: Fury 29-0-1; wild 42-0-1
threatened: World title of Wilder
Result: TKO 7
Story: Fury, disgusted with what he believes to be a robbery in the first fight, is determined to prove one thing he’s certain of: He’s the better one. He parted ways with trainer Ben Davison and hired SugarHill Steward, a disciple of his uncle Emanuel Steward, whom Fury believed would help him fight effectively in a more aggressive fashion. Fury gained weight (273 pounds at a time) and a boxer mentality. He even suggested he stop Wilder. And then he did. Fury faced his foe from the opening ring, never allowing Wilder the time or distance to unload his flaunted right hand. Wilder came down from the right in the 3rd round. He hit the canvas again from a shot on the body in the 5th. And, hit hard, a series of unreturned punches sent Wilder’s back against the ropes causing Wilder to come down from the right. The referee had to stop the fight at 1:39 of Round 7. Fury was back. He is the heavyweight king.
DEONTAY WILDER III
Date / place: October 9, 2021 / T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
File: Fury 30-0-1; wild 42-1-1
threatened: Fury’s world title
Result: KO 11
Story: Any notion that Fury would dominate Wilder as he did in their second bout was dropped in the fourth round of the Battle of 2021. That’s when Wilder was full of determination, one of the hands. the strongest punch in history, knocking Fury twice in a hair-raising verse to raise the odds of a nasty fight. Instead, Fury used the harrowing moment to emphasize the fact that he’s as resilient as his talent. He survived the round and then got back to work, methodically knocking Wilder down over the next six rounds. The ending was brutal. Fury defeated Wilder in the 10th round but that was only a prelude to what was to come. In round 11, the champion delivered a series of powerful blows to his weakened enemy’s head and then connected with a coup d’etat, a punch to the head that left Wilder with a smack in the face. The referee didn’t bother to count. Wilder’s done. Fury proves once again that he’s better than his arch-rival.
DILLIAN WHY
Date / place: April 23, 2022 / Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
File: Fury 31-0-1; Why 28-2
threatened: Fury’s world title
Result: TKO 6
Story: Fury’s most recent win is more of a coronation than a major challenge. He hasn’t fought in the UK since August 2018, when he beat Francesco Pianeta in Belfast, Northern Ireland. And his countrymen are clearly excited about his return. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had a European record capacity of 94,000 spectators to watch their greatest champions face off against the famous Whyte, a Londoner. And Fury certainly did not disappoint by delivering an unforgettable performance. He dominated Whyte for more than five innings and then delivered what is arguably the most impressive finish of his remarkable career, ending the match instantly with an elephant right headbutt mammoth in Round 6. It wasn’t Fury’s most important win due to Whyte’s limitations but it would be difficult to overcome the drama of a brutal knockout in front of a record crowd in a single match. The long-awaited return to the homeland. It was a hell of a night for Fury and boxing.
