Tyson Fury is the biggest name in British boxing currently, but how much do you know about him?
Fury has done it all in the heavyweight game and has even come back from depression to return to the top of the sport.
Fights against Oleksandr Usyk, Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko are among some of his personal highlights and even though the ‘Gypsy King’ is now enjoying retirement, he is still a huge name in the sport.
But there’s more to the British legend. So, with that, here are 10 facts you didn’t know about Tyson Fury.
10 – Tyson Fury was named after Mike Tyson after premature birth
As you can tell, Fury’s first name is inspired by another heavyweight legend, Mike Tyson.
His father John gave him the name after the ‘Gypsy King’ was born three months earlier than expected and weighed 1lb when he was born.
Doctors gave him little chance of survival but like he has done for most of his life, Fury defied those odds and went on to call him Tyson.
9 – Tyson Fury is terrified of worms
Yep, that’s right. The man who has faced some of the world’s toughest fighters over the years is terrified of worms.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2023, Fury said: “I have a phobia of worms. I am absolutely terrified of worms. It’s because my little brother Shane used to fill my wellies up with worms.
“He used to pick out the biggest worms. I still have nightmares about it now, even when I see adult size welly boots. So, yeah I am absolutely terrified of worms. There you go!”
8 – One of Tyson Fury’s favourite films is The Notebook
Tyson Fury has always been an emotional character and during an interview with iFL TV, revealed that he is partial to a film that could reduce him to tears.
He said: “I cried over Marley and me, Ben Stiller and the Labrador that died. I was in tears.
“I cry over the Notebook, I cry over all these girly little movies, I’m a crier. I’m not this big tough hard man that shows no emotion with a big bald head, a big weightlifter like I might appear. But I am a crier, I will cry in two seconds, not a problem, I’m soft-hearted.”
7 – Tyson Fury tried to represent Ireland at the 2008 Olympics
Tyson Fury was born into an Irish traveller family, with their origins coming from Belfast and Galway.
As a result, the ‘Gypsy King’ tried to represent Ireland at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but wasn’t eligible to qualify due to heritage issues.
Instead, he tried to fight for Great Britain but was beaten by David Price in the 2006 ABA finals, who eventually went on to fight for Team GB two years later.
6 – Muhammad Ali is Tyson Fury’s favourite boxer
Nicknamed ‘The Greatest’, Muhammad Ali is someone that Tyson Fury has looked up to ever since he first started boxing and even compared himself to the legend.
During some quick fire questions with Gary Neville, the heavyweight star said: “I used to watch and study and copy what he did.
“It’s difficult to compare because I’m heavy but I think I’m the closest thing we have today.”
5 – Tyson Fury’s most important item is his Bible
Away from the boxing ring, Fury has always been a huge family man and heavily focused on religion too.
In the same interview with Neville, Fury said he takes his Bible with him everywhere.
“My uncle got it for me 14 years ago,” he revealed.
“I’m not going to lie and say I read it every day because I don’t but it is always there in my bedside table.”
4 – Tyson Fury is a charity man
Boxing requires a ruthless streak when fighting and that can often cloud people’s judgement of how somebody is when they’re not involved in the sport.
Fury defies those odds and has regularly donated to charity. After his first fight against Deontay Wilder in 2018, the ‘Gypsy King’ gave all of his £6.6m purse away to help fund the construction of homes for homeless people and drug addicts in the UK.
He is also an ambassador for the Frank Bruno Foundation.
3 – Tyson Fury wanted to call one of his children Jesus
Fury and his wife Paris have seven children and have been happily married since they were both 18.
However, Paris wouldn’t let Tyson call one of their children Jesus. He told The Guardian: “Jesus Fury. I like that name. A lot of Mexicans are called Jesus.”
2 – Tyson Fury loves to sing after fights
We’ve seen that Fury loves to announce himself to the world with flamboyant acts – whether that be dressing up for his walkouts or in press conferences.
After his win against Wilder, Fury sang American Pie by Don McClean to the fans in attendance.
1 – Why Tyson Fury is called the ‘Gypsy King’
The ‘Gypsy King’ is Fury’s most popular nickname and one he proudly calls himself by.
Fury is incredibly proud of his roots having been born into an Irish traveller family and his self-dubbed title is due to links with the Romany and Traveller groups. Although they are different groups in terms of ethnicity, they both have similar beliefs in the sense of close family ties.
Speaking to Ring Magazine in 2015, via Sporting News, he said: “We’re not afraid of anyone. We have a do-or-die mentality. We’re born to fight and we often fight with no gloves for hours and hours. To be punched in the face with a pair of boxing gloves is a luxury really, isn’t it?”