New Robert Brizel Editorial: Tale of Two Tysons, Tyson Fury and Iron Mike Tyson
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
‘The Gypsy King’, Tyson Fury, and ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, has more in common than just their first and last names. The two fighters are both experienced, with 87 pro bouts between them over a 32 year period.
Both men are either present or former world heavyweight champions, lineal or otherwise. Both men hold or have held the World Boxing Council World Heavyweight title. Both men arrived at the world heavyweight title as unbeaten champions, Fury fought Deontay Wilder twice, with a rematch clause for a third bout in existence, and has a draw on his record from his first 12 round bout with Wilder. Iron Mike fought Evander Holyfield, Donavan ‘Razor’ Ruddock and Frank Bruno twice, and never had a draw on his record. Tyson Fury would like to fight Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua. Iron Mike wanted to fight the late Tommy ‘The Duke’ Morrison, but the proposed bout never took place. Iron Mike fought Trevor Berbick, Michael Spinks, Larry Holmes, James (Bonecrusher) Smith, Pinklon Thomas, Tony Tucker, Tony Tubbs, Orlin Norris and Lennox Lewis among present and former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champions. Fury fought present world heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder.
What Tyson Fury and Mike Tyson bring to boxing to this day is personality and charisma. More than just fighters, they are bad boys and good boys, generating attention form many different angles for many different reasons which gives boxing a name and generates public interest. Controversy also generates public interest, and both Tysons have had their share. Will the two Tysons ever fight each other? In the real sense, no. As a computer super fight in the tradition of Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali? (Marciano won in the Americas, Ali won in Europe). Mike Tyson could win here, and Tyson Fury could win in Europe. Step right up and get your tickets, folks. The mythical matchup would be interesting. Fury has size and technical skill, Tyson has speed. Like Wilder, Tyson had the gift of power, but could not outwork the better fighter at the highest level.
Fury donated his entire nine million purse from his rematch with Wilder, which won him the WBC World Heavyweight title, to homeless and mental health charities. Tyson Fury has battled substance abuse and mental illness over the years, including suicidal thoughts. He abused alcohol and drugs during dark emotional periods, and put excess weight when out of the ring for three years after beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. Mike overcame problems with the law and substance abuse to forge a successful post ring career as an actor and businessman with a solid marriage and family.
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