By Declan Taylor
Tyson Fury is well aware that all eyes will be on him at the Kingdom Arena on Saturday night. However, next week in Morecambe, he will meticulously plan his route so as to avoid any public attention.
Due to the delay caused by Fury’s sparring cut above his right eye in February, this highly anticipated fight against Oleksandr Usyk has felt like it has been going on for an unusually long time. As expected, both fighters had very little to say at Thursday’s final press conference, barely speaking for a total of three minutes.
However, the reality is that Fury, despite his extravagant display and confidence, actually thrives much more in solitude. Despite dedicating almost two decades of hard work to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, he is already eager to return home.
“I have 34 gates and a 20-foot wall enclosing my house,” he expresses. “Each day spent within brings me a sense of tranquility.”
If I’m alone in that place, it’s absolutely fine. A perfect day for me involves waking up early, going for a run, perhaps taking the kids to school, and stumbling upon this incredibly lengthy trail where there’s hardly anyone around. It’s the ideal opportunity for me to take my dog on a private walk.
The place is undisclosed; cover several miles on foot with my dog. My faithful companion, the epitome of loyalty. Devoted to me unconditionally and filled with boundless affection. Always overjoyed to greet me, never questioning or challenging. Undoubtedly, he is the finest companion one could ask for.
Due to the fact that a dog is an animal, I exercise extreme caution when taking my dog for a walk. There is always the possibility that it may unexpectedly jump up to someone and result in a lawsuit or some sort of legal trouble, like being accused of Tyson Fury’s dog attempting to bite them. It’s a complex situation to navigate, especially when you’re in my position where everyone seems to be after something from you, usually money. That’s why I choose to walk my dog in secluded areas where there are no other dog walkers around. This way, I can avoid any potential issues that could arise from interactions between our dogs. At this point in my life, I simply cannot afford any more problems.
Fury has experienced a tumultuous life outside of boxing for over 15 years as a professional athlete. However, his most challenging period came right after his unforgettable triumph over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. During this time, he battled with alcohol and drug addiction, which pushed him to the brink of suicide.
Fury’s remarkable journey from nearly 30 stone to becoming the heavyweight champion of the world has become one of the most inspiring sports success stories of our time, catapulting him to household name status.
He firmly asserts, “I have remained unchanged. Despite the passing of numerous years, from the age of 14 to 35, I can proudly say that I have not undergone any significant changes. While those around me may undergo transformations, my own personal growth has been minimal.”
On the eve of securing the largest monetary prize ever obtained by a British boxer, he provides a candid evaluation, acknowledging that he has indeed grappled with overwhelming levels of fame and fortune.
“It’s definitely a curse,” Fury states, emphasizing the negative aspect. “Being famous is not a blessing, contrary to what people may think. Everyone desires a taste of fame for a brief moment until they truly experience it, realizing they wouldn’t want to live through it every single day for a decade. However, I accept the reality of my situation and have no intention of complaining.”
The idea of becoming wealthy and well-known is constantly marketed to individuals. However, the reality may not align with the initial perception upon achieving such status. While you gain the ability to acquire desired possessions and exercise personal preferences, this alone may not guarantee complete fulfillment.
However, if one has access to all the offerings of the world, they do not desire anything. On the contrary, when one is unable to attain everything, they yearn for it all. This is simply how things fall apart.
There’s definitely something to be said about the benefits of having a regular 9-to-5 job and leading a normal life. Being able to engage in everyday activities without any hassle or restrictions is truly liberating. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of going anywhere or doing anything without feeling tortured. Even a simple dinner outing becomes a nightmare with people constantly hovering around me, snapping pictures. It’s infuriating, and I often find myself wanting to retaliate against them.
“When it comes to someone appearing on television or any similar platform, people tend to show a lack of respect. They immediately flock towards them. Personally, I wouldn’t wish such an experience upon even my most despised enemy.”
If the opportunity presented itself to either earn a decent amount of money or live without any form of fame, that would be my preferred choice. Indeed, it is the most desirable option. To have financial abundance without the burden of fame is truly advantageous. When someone wins the lottery, they can either flaunt their wealth or remain anonymous, opting for the latter is akin to staying out of the limelight, living discreetly, and being unknown to the public. Having substantial wealth grants you the freedom to live life on your own terms.
Fury’s well-known account of his overwhelming sense of apprehension after defeating Klitschko that fateful night in Dusseldorf remains etched in memory. Despite conquering his Everest and attaining his lifelong aspiration, it had left him with a feeling of disappointment. As he stands on the precipice of another significant bout in Riyadh this Saturday, he is aware that a similar sentiment might be lurking.
Fury emphasizes that the process leading up to reaching a destination is consistently more satisfying than the actual arrival. This is because when one envisions a desired outcome or diligently saves up for a long period of time to attain something they truly desire, the moment of achievement often falls short of their initial expectations. Personally, Fury recalls dreaming about purchasing his own house, considering it a significant aspiration outside of his boxing career.
Achieving a championship title is truly remarkable, but let’s face it, it doesn’t cover your expenses or fulfill your basic needs like having a roof over your head or food on the table. Simply owning a belt as a symbol of success is not the ultimate goal. That’s why I made it my aim to purchase a house using my boxing earnings. By the time I turned 22, I managed to buy my own house. However, I soon realized that the anticipation and excitement I had built up around it didn’t quite match the reality of owning it.
Continuing with various goals and whatnot, we have reached the present moment. Currently, I have the freedom to travel, engage in any activity, purchase anything I desire, yet I consciously opt not to do so, as I fail to perceive its purpose.
I mostly confine myself to Morecambe Bay and rarely venture to Manchester nowadays. I prefer staying at home and have no inclination for holidays, as they entail a lot of hassle and effort.
Personality clash: During the face-off between Fury and Usyk, Fury deliberately avoided making eye contact with Usyk. (Image credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Regarding the matter, it’s worth mentioning that Fury has spent most of 2024 in training camp due to the postponement of their February event and subsequent rescheduling. There has been significant emphasis on the remarkable physical condition he has achieved during the past five months. Nonetheless, Fury firmly asserts that everything is proceeding normally in terms of his preparations.
“I’m just feeling the same as I always do, to be honest,” he remarks. “Neither better nor worse. That’s the gist of it. I’m actually in good physical condition. You see, I’ve been putting in a lot of effort in my training lately – you know, three consecutive camps. So, I’ve been keeping myself busy, engaging in sparring sessions without any issues.”
In my opinion, it’s not primarily about fitness. It’s not a competition to determine who is more fit or anything like that. I believe the key is simply giving your best effort with the abilities and resources you possess, and that’s all that matters.
He has competed in 350 amateur bouts and 21 professional fights, while I have participated in 35 professional matches and 35 amateur contests. Collectively, we have accumulated a significant amount of experience in the boxing ring. Given our extensive history, we are not particularly concerned about another fight. Neither of us feel inclined to engage in one.
“If something is meant to happen and destined for us, it will unfold accordingly. Conversely, if it is not meant to be, it simply won’t occur. Shedding tears over it? Absolutely not. What reason do I have to weep? Instead, I will express gratitude to God for the enjoyable moments as well as the challenging ones, and then move forward, gather my earnings, and return home.”
“That concludes it. Time to resume the task of collecting the dog feces.”
Hopefully, there won’t be anyone present to witness his actions.
