Tyson’s advice to Tyson: Don’t be normal
Mike Tyson believes Tyson Fury’s abnormalities are a strength and has urged Britain’s world champion heavyweight to remain his quirky self.
Tyson is a huge fan of Fury, now regarded as the best heavyweight in a heated division.
The larger than life Fury has battled drugs, alcohol and depression to make a return and claim the WBC belt, having previously been a unified champion.
Former champion Tyson, no stranger to depression and now on the verge of his own incredible comeback at the age of 53, believes Fury’s challenges have made him the man and fighter he is today.
‘‘With Tyson, if he didn’t go through everything he’s been through, he wouldn’t be the person that he is today,’’ Tyson told the respected Ring Magazine.
‘‘The mental health issues? That’s why he’s the greatest, because he’s sick, and that’s being real. People want him to be normal. Yeah, be normal and go on the welfare line.
‘‘Tyson doesn’t know what normal is. Tell him to stay away from normal; he wasn’t meant to be normal.’’
With boxing in lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, Fury’s plans for a third fight with American Deontay Wilder are on hold. That will also delay any hopes of Fury taking on fellow Brit Anthony Joshua to unify the division’s belts. Joshua has the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
Whatever unfolds, Fury, in his usual eccentric manner, says he will be happy.
‘‘’I’ve achieved more than any active heavyweight alive today,’’ he told Sky Sports.
‘‘No-one can come close to what I’ve achieved. If I never have another boxing fight, I’ll be happy. I’ve completed the game.
‘‘I’ve won every single belt in boxing. From the English title to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champ of the world. All done, all finished. Considered the best, done.
‘‘If I don’t box again, I’m happy, but if I do box again, then I continue to box. ‘‘If we get past this thing, which hopefully we will, we’re going to keep boxing and keep taking on contenders.’’
Fury, 31, said he could take inspiration from Wladimir Klitschko, the champion he beat in 2015 to finally unlock the division after the Ukrainian’s long reign.
‘‘Klitschko did it until he was 40. A lot of the great champions are continuing, and continuing. I ain’t boxing for money, I ain’t boxing for fame, I ain’t boxing for a belt. I’m boxing because it keeps me mentally happy and I like to do it,’’ he told Sky Sports.
‘‘Nothing to prove to anybody. Not one thing to prove at all, but I box now, because I love boxing and I’ve been doing it all my life. Why walk away when I’m still only young?
‘‘Hopefully I box until I have a good sit down with all the team and we all decide it’s time to walk away, while I’m on top.’’