A great boxer, a great actor, an ordinary person. How Tyson Fury will be remembered in professional boxing

Late at night from Saturday to Sunday, from April 24 to April 25, heated up after a rather short, but rather intense (on average, more than 40 punches per round) fight with Dillian Whyte, the world champion in WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, standing in front of 94,000 spectators gathered at the legendary Wembley, announced the end of his professional boxing career.

The Gypsy King, who more than once amazed the public with his acting and vocal abilities, chose the best moment for the minister of Melpomene and the boxer to announce his decision: at the peak of fame and popularity, in the presence of tens of thousands of admirers of his talent. A whole era is leaving with Tyson Fury: no matter how we treat the Briton, it was he who breathed life into the heavyweight division of professional boxing in the last five years, and it was he who was its main protagonist, striking both in the ring and outside it.

And yes, throughout his professional career, Fury has not lost a single time, defeating Wladimir Klitschko, Deontay Wilder (twice), Dillian Whyte over the past five years. Only Joshua can boast of a similar track record from the current top 10 kingweight fighters (Usyk, who had only three heavyweight fights for now) to some extent, but defeats from Ruiz and Usyk spoiled both AJ’s track record and and impressions of his career.

At the same time, unlike Joshua, who was and remains a kind of standard boxer and athlete – power, pressure, mode, correct actions and behavior, competent management and marketing, Fury remained an ordinary person throughout his career. He violated the regime, dabbled in drugs, got caught doping, drank, fell into depression, left boxing and returned, committed seemingly insane and illogical acts, surprised and shocked. Even with his nickname – the Gypsy King – Fury, a descendant of Irish gypsies, managed to play, then refusing it, then again asking to be called that way.

Fury could afford to appear at a press conference in the form of Batman, sign a contract with the promotion company of the Irish cartel Kinahan, troll his rivals and all kinds of boxing organizations, throwing away championship belts. He was himself, not shy about doing shows in and out of the ring. Fury even came to his possibly farewell press conference in the status of an active boxer with a naked torso, forcing his coach to appear in front of the journalists in the same form.

But behind all this outrageous outrageousness, the main thing was hidden: Fury is a truly incredible boxer. Well prepared technically, with excellent timing and fantastic plasticity, as for its dimensions. And also – a man with incredible willpower and an athlete who is not afraid to take on challenges. This is the return to the forefront of world boxing after two and a half simple, caused by the already mentioned depression after the victory over Wladimir Klitschko, and cutting over 50 kilograms, from 171 to 115, the ability and strength to get up after Wilder’s crushing blows. And even agreeing to meet the most formidable puncher of the current heavyweight division in his third duel after returning and the third in six months is already worthy of admiration. But we also remember the result.

“One of the greatest heavyweights of all time. I am happy that he fought in my era, ”the world champion in two weight categories Shakur Stevenson reacted so emotionally to Fury’s statement about his retirement from boxing. It’s hard to argue with him. And if we are talking about a man who ascended the heavyweight throne after Wladimir Klitschko and became his heir, then this is definitely Fury, who defeated an almost peak Ukrainian, and not Joshua, who had a bright fight, but still won against a 39-year-old boxer who did not out in the ring for about two years.

But still, the Gypsy King would not be himself if he did not leave himself a small loophole, and the fans – the hope of seeing him in the ring. In any case, Fury’s statement about his readiness to take part in exhibition fights should be taken that way. So we look forward to continuing the show.