Tyson Fury, the heavyweight giant, has left an indelible mark on the world of boxing.
How tall is Tyson Fury?
The self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” stands at 2.06 meters tall. In his most recent fight, he weighed around 126 kilos. He is the second tallest world boxing champion in history. The tallest remains Nicolai Valuev at 2.13 meters. Since the 1990s, many tall heavyweights have ruled the ring: Lennox Lewis (1.96 m), Nicolai Valuev (2.13 m), the Klitschko brothers (1.98 m and 2.01 m), Deontay Wilder (2.01 m), Anthony Joshua (1.98 m), and Tyson Fury (2.06 m).
Who is Tyson Fury?
The Beginnings
Tyson Fury is a 36-year-old English boxer, born on 12 August 1988 in Manchester. From a family of travelling gypsies, Fury was named after Mike Tyson. After an impressive amateur career (34 wins, 4 losses), he turned pro in 2008 at the age of 20. He became British and Commonwealth champion in 2011 and Irish champion in 2012.
The Rise
In late 2015, Fury shocked the boxing world by defeating Wladimir Klitschko, who had been unbeaten for 9 years. Fury took home the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts, becoming world heavyweight champion.
The Fall
Just a month later, the IBF stripped Fury of his title for not facing their mandatory challenger. Fury instead focused on a rematch with Klitschko. Eventually, due to physical and mental health struggles—including depression and substance abuse—he vacated all his belts and stepped away from boxing. His weight rose to nearly 180 kilos during this dark period.
The Comeback
After two years of absence, Fury made a remarkable return to boxing in 2018. After a few warm-up fights, he faced undefeated KO-artist Deontay Wilder in a high-stakes bout. Despite being knocked down twice, Fury dominated large portions of the fight. The result was a controversial draw, but Fury had reestablished himself as a world-class boxer.
The King Returns
In February 2020, Fury and Wilder clashed again. Fury overwhelmed Wilder with his power and technique, winning by TKO in the 7th round. It was a dominant performance that crowned Fury WBC world champion and ended Wilder’s unbeaten run.
The Confirmation
In October 2021, the trilogy concluded with one of the greatest heavyweight fights in recent memory. Five knockdowns, wild momentum swings, and a brutal KO by Fury in the 11th round sealed his legacy as Wilder’s superior.
The Long-Awaited Unification
Fans long dreamed of a Fury vs. Joshua showdown, but Joshua lost his belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and again in 2022. The path was clear: Fury vs. Usyk for undisputed heavyweight glory.
In May 2025, that dream came true. Fury and Usyk met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first undisputed heavyweight championship since 1999. It was a tactical and intense battle. Usyk outboxed Fury in the middle rounds and even knocked him down in the 9th. Fury rallied late, but the judges awarded a split decision victory to Usyk. It was Fury’s first professional loss, and Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
What is Tyson Fury’s place in boxing history?
Despite his first defeat, Tyson Fury’s impact on the sport is immense. He ended the dominant reigns of both Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder. He remains one of the most charismatic and technically gifted heavyweights of his era. His comeback story from depression to world champion is unparalleled in modern boxing.
Whether or not he regains the belts, Fury’s name is already carved into boxing history. A rematch with Usyk could still redefine his legacy—and he has hinted that he’s far from done.
Photos and Videos of Tyson Fury
Fury Wilder I (2018), Full fight: Fury Wilder II (2020), Full fight: Fury Wilder III (2021), Full fight: Fury Usyk I: Fury Usy II: Tyson Fury’s autobiography is available. Click on the image to order: 