In the lead-up to his highly anticipated clash with Deontay Wilder in 2018, Tyson Fury injected a dose of humor into his training regimen, playfully suggesting that he had adopted the intense training tactics of MMA star Khabib Nurmagomedov. Fury, known as “The Gypsy King,” joked about wrestling bears at 6 AM every morning, a humorous nod to Nurmagomedov’s early experiences grappling with bear cubs.
Despite the jest, Fury’s focus remained on boxing, where he has cemented himself as one of the premier heavyweight fighters of his generation. His first encounter with Wilder ended in a contentious split draw, with opinions divided among fans regarding the outcome. While many believed Fury had outboxed Wilder for much of the fight, others felt Wilder had been deprived of a knockout victory after dropping Fury in the ninth round and delivering a devastating combination in the twelfth.
The controversy surrounding the split draw only fueled anticipation for the subsequent rematches between the two fighters. Fury emerged victorious in the first rematch, forcing a corner stoppage to claim the victory. In the trilogy bout, Fury sealed his dominance with an emphatic 11th-round knockout, solidifying his status as the superior fighter in the series.
While Fury’s jest about wrestling bears hinted at a potential crossover into MMA, his commitment to boxing remained unwavering. Despite engaging in light training sessions with former UFC middleweight Darren Till to learn about wrestling and grappling, Fury ultimately remained dedicated to his boxing career. Even when presented with challenges from UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Fury maintained his focus on the sport where he has achieved unparalleled success.
Tyson Fury’s humorous remarks about wrestling bears added a lighthearted touch to his training camp ahead of his showdown with Deontay Wilder. Despite the controversy surrounding their first encounter, Fury ultimately proved his superiority in subsequent rematches, solidifying his status as one of boxing’s greatest heavyweight champions. While flirtations with MMA training occurred, Fury remained steadfast in his commitment to boxing, where he has carved out a legendary career.
