“It's my last fight.
I'm done with that.
And what could be better than a last home dance for Tyson Fury?
In front of 94,000 people at Wembley, a record, the Gypsy King will defend his WBC heavyweight title and his unbeaten streak (32 wins) this Saturday evening April 23 against his compatriot Dilllian Whyte (34 years old, 28 wins including 19 by KO for two defeats) for his first fight in England since 2018. A planetary event for this boxer with an extraordinary life.
The 33-year-old Briton is the archetypal hero.
Because he has known failure to better savor victory.
Because, as a child, Tyson Fury had to fight against adversity.
Born premature at six months, the Englishman did not have much chance of surviving.
“I weighed 700 grams when I was born.
Of my mother's fifteen pregnancies, only four of us survived.
Eleven miscarriages, that's not a great record.
I'm lucky to be here, ”the champion told the team in 2016. The doctors only give him a few weeks to live.
But that's without counting, already, on the strength of character of the champion.
Drugs, alcohol and suicidal thoughts
His life of grandeur and decadence really took off in 2015. The one who has a first name in homage to Mike Tyson, created a surprise against the Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, undefeated since 2004, by becoming WBA-WBO-IBF world heavyweight champion .
His dodges, his power and his atypical blows won over the crowd.
But after becoming the king, the Englishman faces a severe depression.
Drugs, alcohol, suicidal thoughts: the English boxer falls very low.
“I don't train anymore, I'm depressed, I've had enough of life, I don't lie, I don't need to lie.
I've taken cocaine on numerous occasions over the past six months, and not to improve my performance.
Honestly, I don't know if I'll make it through the year.
I just hope someone kills me, before I kill myself,” he said in an October 2016 interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
Rebirth against Deontay Wilder
After his depression, the English boxer returned to the ring and regained glory.
After three exceptional fights against Deontay Wilder (one draw, two victories by KO), the Gypsy King became world champion again, four years after his last coronation.
“Not bad for a guy who no longer knows how to box?
Fury had launched to provoke those who buried him.
“What I did tonight, I did for you.
And if I managed to come back, you can also make it!
“said the boxer after his title.
And this Saturday, the Englishman puts his crown back on the line against Dillian Whyte to end a colorful career.
The best boxer of the 21st century?
Inevitably, who says last round says balance sheet.
And the question of its place in history in the noble art arises.
It is undeniable that the Englishman left his mark on boxing, thanks to his style and certain legendary fights.
Moreover, he proclaims himself as "the greatest fighter of [his] time".
"He's over a hundred pounds, but he's boxing like a lightweight.
He has this mobility, this ease, this vista.
A science of boxing.
The others are not as technical.
He knows how to do everything, ”analyzes Brahim Asloum, for RMC Sport, which broadcasts the fight in France.
This Saturday, April 23, Tyson Fury therefore has the opportunity to perfect his legend.
And to position oneself, as he says, always more “at the top of the pile”.
