Gloves Off: Tyson Fury Autobiography

Product Information

A lot of it has already been told in his previous books but it makes no difference because it's all relevant, and keeps you updated. It's great that he is open and honest about this, though I do wish he wouldn't use even this to push the barrow of his victory over all odds. This book concludes with providing information and a motivational message for any people struggling with their own health issues. He’s a mighty and furious legend, but soft and vulnerable, he shows this in his book and it’s really important to hear about this side. Tyson Fury in his rematch with US boxer Deontay Wilder for the WBC world heavyweight championship in Las Vegas, February 2020.

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. He's 6ft 9in, nimble and a boxing great - but it's the Gypsy King's internal monologue that makes him No 1. He looks back at his incredible life and career, examining what's really defined him, from his travelling upbringing to his fighting family, his beloved wife Paris and his 6 beautiful children, his mental health battles and his rise, fall and rise again in and out of the ring. I applaud his self belief in those early pages of the book but I didn’t find it an interesting read at all. Tyson shares fascinating blow-by-blow accounts of his inspiring victories against Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte, his recovery from the depths of depression, and his journey to reclaiming his world heavyweight title.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. Tyson also shares a side of him that few people get to see and that in the weeks before the biggest fight of his career in 2021 he was sleeping on the hospital floor in intensive care following the premature birth of his daughter Athena who was fighting for her life. It's OK not to be OK, but it's also OK to continue to struggle with something for the rest of your life. The definite article sounds more definitive, but in reality it’s more of the same – more braggadocio, more humility, more professions of love for his wife and family, more descriptions of his mental health, more threats to retire, more talking up potential fights of the future.

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. Had this book been written by a third party, I suspect they would have been more aware of the regular contradictions that appear, with Tyson wanting to be both the hardest studier of the game, obsessing over detail, as well as the most relaxed free-wheeling guy who can train how he likes, eat how he likes and still come away with the victory. He celebrates the importance of fitness and his efforts to get in shape, but rejects sports science, heart-rate monitors and data assessment.He talks rather too much about smashing people up, but actually some of his key victories, such as against Klitschko, have been on points and are much more about stamina and ring nous than brute force. This book allowed me to make important reflections on my own faith and mental health, thank you for sharing your story Tyson. Photograph: Étienne Laurent/EPA View image in fullscreen Tyson Fury in his rematch with US boxer Deontay Wilder for the WBC world heavyweight championship in Las Vegas, February 2020.