Tyson Fury Insists That Belts Mean Nothing Without Money
There’s no doubt about the fighting ability of reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs). But despite his many accomplishments, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Fury’s priorities have changed. At age 34, has Fury turned into a fighter solely in the sport for the money?
BEING ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS
Fury has an upcoming fight against MMA star Francis Ngannu on October 28 in Saudia Arabia. But following that contest, the WBC champion has signed a deal to face the unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Word on the street is that the battle will occur in December 2023. Speaking to British news outlet iFL TV, Fury was open about how money was the driving force behind the fight. The WBC champion talked about how important it is to get paid top dollar for his fistic services.
“At the end of the day, we’re in it for making money, and that’s what the game is, prizefighting, making a few quid, going home, and enjoying it with your family, and that’s it – getting out of there in one piece.
People can talk a load of bullshit and say ‘oh, it’s about legacy and I want all the belts’. But all of that ain’t going to feed your family . . . You may as well go in there and fight for a shit ton of money and get paid, and fight for all the belts. It makes sense to do that.”
THE PARADOX OF A PRIZEFIGHTER
To the viewing audience, boxing is exciting sports entertainment. For the boxers, it’s their job. Trading blows is how they pay their bills and support their families. Approaching the topic from that angle, it only makes sense that pugilists seek out the biggest payday possible. Never forget that fighters are in this sport to secure the bag.
But this is a sport where legacy matters. Fury can poo poo that aspect all he wants. Any fighter with pride and ego desires to fight and defeat the best in their era. It had to play some part in why he eventually made the fight with Usyk after initial negotiations failed earlier this year.
That aside, the words of the WBC champion echo many top fighters who have maintained a high level of success for several years. Fury’s saving grace is his upcoming fight with Usyk.
The Gypsy King has mainly become a business-first fighter at this point in his career. His attitude is, if it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make sense, and he doesn’t care whether you like it or not.
