From mental health issues to heavyweight champion: Tyson Fury’s timeline to Anthony Joshua defeat is inspirational

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Tyson Fury defeated Deontay Wilder to win the WBC and the Ring magazine titles in February 2020

British boxing star Tyson Fury recently defeated Deontay Wilder in their second fight to win the WBC and The Ring magazine titles.

The 31-year-old from Manchester has now completed an incredible comeback to beat the American.

Fury was at the top of the world when he started his boxing career but things took a spiral later on. He was out of action for a couple of years, had mental issues and also dealt with drug problems.

Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 2
Tyson Fury defeated Deontay Wilder in their second meeting (Getty)

The 31-year-old was extremely overweight too, but he turned his life and career around.

The Brit will go down as one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport, and here is an incredible timeline of how he changed his life around.

Fury gives up belt in 2016

Fury was on top of the world and had defeated Vladimir Klitschko, surprisingly, and handed him his first loss in 11 years.

The Brit picked up the WBA, IBF and WBO belts but that was just the problem for the champion.

Major troubles for Fury

Fury was supposed to face Klitschko but had to cancel the bouts twice, due to varying reasons.

He had gained a lot of weight in between, was using drugs and even claimed that he hated boxing (h/t BBC).

The Brit was on top of the world but things came crashing down and this was just a few of his problems.

Tyson Fury fat
Tyson Fury had bloated up after winning the title (YouTube)

An image showed that Fury was extremely overweight and he was also banned from boxing after testing positive for a substance.

Fury refuted the claims and said this took place as he ate an uncastrated wild boar. He tested positive for the substance in 2015 and was charged by the UK Anti-Doping in 2016.

In 2017, he accepted a rule violation and was given a two-year period of ineligibility which was backdated.

Return of the King

Fury had increased by over 25 stone and he made few appearances. However, the Gypsy King came back after a video from Wilder claimed the Brit was ‘done’.

The Brit claimed he was going to be back and he did. After almost three years he was getting back in the ring.

Deontay Wilder Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury at the Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone UFC bout (Getty)

Fury also got into shape but there was more tragedy ahead of his new fight. The Brit was set to face Sefer Seferi in June 2018 but his wife lost a baby on the morning of that clash (h/t Mirror).

Paris, Fury’s wife, didn’t want to distract her husband from his return, and the Gypsy King made a triumphant comeback by defeating Seferi.

First clash against Wilder

In August 2018, Fury defeated Francesco Pianeta to take his record to 27-0. His next clash was against Wilder, the first of his bouts, for the WBC Heavyweight title.

Although Fury was sent to the floor a couple of times, most agreed that it was the Brit that controlled the match and should have won.

The title didn’t go to Fury thanks to a split-decision, but the Brit was back to his best,

Taking on a Monster

Fury tried his hand at something else by facing Braun Strowman of WWE. This incredible clash between the two giants took place at WWE Crown Jewel in 2019.

And it was the Brit who came out on top after knocking out The Monster among Men.

Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury faced Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 (Image credit: Getty)

Fury on top of the world

Wilder vs Fury round 2 was set and it was the Brit who won the WBC and Ring titles.

It was an exceptional performance from the 31-year-old as he came back from obscurity to climb the boxing ladder.