December 18th 2024.
At the age of 36, Tyson Fury has already endured his fair share of brutal wars in the ring over the years. But it was his most recent defeat that left the biggest impact on the heavyweight champion. For the first time in his 16-year career, Fury was not the one standing tall at the top of the division. Instead, it was Oleksandr Usyk who claimed the title and solidified his spot as the new undisputed king of the division.
Fury's loss to Usyk marked a significant shift in the boxing landscape. After dominating for so long, Fury found himself temporarily dethroned and looking for a way to reclaim his spot at the top. It was a journey that would prove to be a challenging yet glorious one for the 'Gypsy King.'
In 2018, Fury made his return to the ring after battling with addiction and depression. His road back to the summit of boxing reached its peak when he defeated Deontay Wilder for the world title in 2020. Since then, Fury has had many thrilling fights, including a wild trilogy with Wilder, a knockout victory over Dillian Whyte in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley, and a crossover spectacle against Francis Ngannou. But with these battles came scars, both physical and mental.
Fury's ability to rise from the canvas, seemingly invincible, has become synonymous with his reign at the top. However, the toll taken from being knocked down cannot be ignored. With age, the punishment has only become more ferocious, leading many to question just how much more Fury can endure.
Throughout his career, Fury has been knocked down a total of eight times, with six of those occurring since his return to the sport in 2015. Ngannou's shocking defeat of Fury in October 2020 was a clear indication that the Briton's body was no longer able to withstand the same level of punishment it once could.
But getting knocked down is a common occurrence in heavyweight boxing, especially when you are surrounded by giants. The true test lies in one's ability to get back up and keep fighting. However, these incidents have taken a toll on Fury, with his friend and former trainer Ricky Hatton expressing concern earlier this year about the potential long-term effects.
"Tyson deserves the benefit of the doubt," Hatton said. "But there is a concern that perhaps he is getting too many miles on the clock now. He's been in some wars, has Tyson, he's taken some big hits."
Fury's defeat to Usyk not only marked his first loss in the heavyweight division but also left him in a position he had never been in before. Making changes and adapting at this stage in his career can be challenging, especially when he has already achieved such great success and amassed a significant fortune.
Former world champion Johnny Nelson is among those who question whether Fury still has the drive and ambition to continue learning and improving in the sport. "Of course he is not the fighter he was," Nelson said. "When everything is asked of him, he doesn't have everything to give anymore. He isn't as sharp, and he has lived differently. He is a multi-millionaire now, so his drive and ambition are different. His circle is different, and no one is going to tell him something he doesn't want to hear."
But Fury still has unfinished business in the sport. While the chance to become undisputed champion may have slipped away for now, there is still the opportunity for revenge against Usyk. And regardless of what happens in the ring on Saturday night, the highly anticipated fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua still looms, with a massive payday waiting for both men.
At the age of 36, Fury has been contemplating retirement for years. But something seems to have shifted recently, and retirement may no longer be the top priority for the 'Gypsy King.' However, as Nelson points out, having many long, hard miles on the clock and a comfortable life back home can inevitably lead to questioning one's future in the sport.
"Fury is now 36 years old, and for years he has toyed with the subject of retirement," Nelson said. "But he has laid out plans to fight Joshua twice after his business with Usyk is settled. Something has shifted, and I think Tyson is in an unbelievable position, worth hundreds of millions. But the reasons for getting up to train and fight are different now. It's more ego than anything else, and that's what Tyson Fury is doing as far as I'm concerned."
As Fury prepares to face Usyk in their highly anticipated rematch, the question remains: can he reclaim his crown and continue to reign at the top of the heavyweight division? Or will this be the end of his legendary career? The answers will be revealed this weekend in Saudi Arabia, and fans can catch all the action on DAZN.
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