Gloves Off: Tyson Fury Autobiography

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Gloves Off is not a case of bare-fisted self-exposure, but instead a carefully edited version of events. There is no mention, for example, of Daniel Kinahan, the alleged Irish gangster based in Dubai, whom Fury publicly thanked in 2020 for his work as a boxing promoter. And when Fury refers to his father being sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2011 (he served four), he merely says that it was “for getting involved in a fight”, which makes it sound like a spot of fisticuffs. In fact, John Fury gouged a man’s eye out, leaving him half-blind. Charting his early years, darkest moments and return to glory, ‘Behind the Mask’ is already a must-read for any boxing fan.

The book doesn't delve too deeply into any one topic, especially Tyson's personal life. After starting off with his win over Deonte Wilder to recapture the heavyweight title in February 2020, the reader will learn a little about Fury's upbringing, his rise in boxing in the British and Irish theatres and his eventual success in obtaining the title. Along the way, Fury had many ups and downs. Some of these were unforeseen circumstances, some of them were of his own making. These are not covered in depth throughout the book, simply captured in the text. Having little knowledge about Fury or his career, I was hoping for a deeper dive into his career and his life, but this was a decent introduction to the man. Readers who have followed his career closely or are passionate boxing fans of the current state of the sport will most likely know all of this information already. Of course, being a big man at six feet nine inches tall, he makes for a large presence both in and out of the ring. The name "Gypsy King" came from Tyson's family living the life of travelers. It is also noted that he was named Tyson after former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. If one believes in omens, this could be one of the best ones to come true. So, I decided to dive into the world of Tyson Fury's autobiography, "Gloves Off." Now, let's be clear, I'm about as intimidating as a fluffy bunny, so I thought, "Why not get a taste of the boxing champion's life without actually taking any punches?" Outside of the ring, Tyson Fury is a mental health ambassador. He donated his million-dollar purse from the Deontay Wilder fight to the homeless. His most famous victory came in 2015, when he stunned longtime champion Wladimir Klitschko. Fury won the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO world heavyweight titles.His honesty of the shady dealing and politics of the boxing world was an interesting read I had never thought of - or was aware of - before. Tyson described it in an interesting yet easy to understand way for a newbie like myself in the world of boxing. He was forced to vacate the belts because of issues with drugs, alcohol and mental health. Fury did not fight again for more than two years. Like all the greatest stories, though, there is redemption and Tyson defies all the odds and literally drags himself to his feet. 10 million people around the globe watched Fury fight Wilder in the biggest fight of the boxing calendar. Speaking candidly about his struggles with mental health, this is Tyson Fury as you have never seen him before. I love that he dedicates so much to his wife Paris and their marriage is to be admired as they’ve gone through a huge amount in a short space of time. It would have been nice to have had a bit more about them, but ultimately, it is a boxing book and it serves that purpose excellently - the preparation and training involved, his showmanship and self-belief and he breaks down his thought processes during his fights really well.

Sometimes, the whole “Gypsy King” showman drama – being carried to the ring on a throne in one of the Wilder fights – may occlude Fury’s genuinely impressive achievements in the ring. The man himself says it’s just an act, designed to maximise attention and therefore viewers and profit. Perhaps, but this is a guy who refers to himself in the third person and it’s just possible that the act has taken up more permanent residence in his personality. Larger than life is all very well for the length of a boxing promotion, but it can soon become tiring in life. Tyson Fury is the undefeated lineal heavyweight champion of the world. Born and raised in Manchester, Fury weighed just 1lb at birth after being born three months premature. I especially liked hearing of his Irish and Traveller roots and what he liked and disliked in the Traveller community. Which leads us to the retirement question. Fury writes perceptively of past fighters who have hung on too long, always promising themselves that it will be after the next fight, and then the next one after that, that they will hang up their gloves. By the end of the book, as he surveys the potential contenders, he appears indistinguishable from all those predecessors who didn’t know when to say goodbye. Can he walk away from the spotlight, the discipline and the glory? What will come afterwards, just living at home with his beloved wife, Paris, and their six children? He says he’ll be happy to walk the dogs. In the meantime, he’ll be fighting British heavyweight Derek Chisora (for the third time) on Saturday 3 December. The dogs, it seems, can wait. The No-Holds-Barred Autobiography - including the full story behind Tyson's record-breaking victory against Dillian Whyte at Wembley stadium in front of 94,000 peopleA boxing phenomenon...the anarchic and enormous sports star may prove to be the last of the boxing greats' - John Sutherland, The Times

He goes on to Tyson's family life, his beliefs, his failures, his successes, and his will to keep in fighting. The best and most used manifestation of this is his seeming return from the dead raise in the 12th round against arguably the hardest hitter currently in the heavyweight division.I took a real man on who was willing to step up to the challenge," he added. "If they've got something to say about it, I'm standing here. Tyson Fury ranks as one of boxing’s top personalities of the last 50 years among Ali, Duran, Tyson (Mike) and Mayweather.

Behind the Mask is an unflinching autobiography from the greatest boxer of our time and a man who has demonstrated strength of a very different kind by conquering his demons.

Multibuys

I wish to thank Ad Lib Publishers for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Tyson's book reveals surprising and personal new sides to his character: he opens up about his fairy-tale romance with beloved wife Paris, and their down-to-earth life raising six beautiful children. He describes how his Traveller upbringing forged him, and how his fighting family, including dad John and his brothers, have sustained him. In the process, Tyson discusses his mental health and weight battles, his faith and his greatest boxing experiences. He discloses deeply moving new stories: in the weeks before the biggest fight of his career, Tyson was sleeping on a hospital floor in intensive care tending to his baby daughter, Athena, who was born premature and fighting for her life.