Gloves Off: Tyson Fury Autobiography

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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?" 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.

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. Past few months for me were a little tough both from the personal and professional angle and I was feeling the brunt of the same. I wasn't sure whether what I was going through was a phase of melancholy or full fledged depression but whatever it was, I knew it was eating me alive and I needed to think of ways to move on from this feeling and be cheerful again. 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. A boxing phenomenon...the anarchic and enormous sports star may prove to be the last of the boxing greats' - John Sutherland, The TimesWhile the title of "heavyweight boxing champion of the world" doesn't have quite the same luster today as it did in previous decades, it is still considered an honor to be part of that linear history. The current holder of the title, Tyson Fury, is the subject of this biography by Nigel Cawthorne. It’s hard to believe that a man who is so confident, outspoken and above all else the lineal heavyweight champion of the world could be brought to his knees by depression. This Biography my the man himself just shows that no matter who you are mental health issues and depression should never be taken likely and makes you aware that even warriors like Tyson Fury are not invincible. 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.

But the best part? Tyson's honesty. He lays it all out there, from mental health struggles to the bizarre world of professional boxing. I felt like I was in the corner of the ring, cheering him on in his battles – and trust me, I'd be the guy with the foam finger, not the boxing gloves. This is not about Usyk or any other boxers. It's about me and him doing combat and there is no more to it. All these boxers, they had their chances over the last nine months to do a deal with me, they didn't so we've moved on and took a real man who is willing to challenge himself," Fury said. 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.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. 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 people This book was a great bend of fun and misery with Tyson going into detail of some of his antics he has carried out during his time in boxing and at times it lead me to laughing to myself reminiscing on his funny moments( the Batman costume is my personal favourite and also the sauna battle with Wlad). Fury notes that growing up he was a quiet lad by nature and that he almost created this larger than life character to gain more mainstream media to help progress his career which is common in boxing as people need to care to come see you. 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. All of that is here in his own words. What is left out are the contradictions of the man, the stories that change over time and any serious attempt to clear the air regarding accusations for the use of the substance Nandrolone. Which spurred his hiatus from the ring.

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. He showed not only his battles within the ring but outside of it too. Such honesty about Mental Health is desperately needed in todays world and hearing it from the heavy weight champion of the world is sure to help rid the stigma surrounding it. Especially the need to talk it about which Tyson echoes in his book. This empowerment is so influential and helpful for so many people old or young. At 6’9 and 270 lbs, you would expect the man to be a lumbering, mumbling, heavy-handed Sasquatch. But, watching him fight you would think he was a welterweight with his spry movement across the ring, smooth jab and ability to switch stances without giving his opponent the nod. And listening to him speak you would think he is a world class entertainer, whether it is rushing into a press conference dressed as batman, getting carried to the ring on a throne or serenading an audience after a win. Nigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor. He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times. He has appeared on television and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

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.Tyson Fury ranks as one of boxing’s top personalities of the last 50 years among Ali, Duran, Tyson (Mike) and Mayweather.