Tyson Fury recently appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show and opened up about the hardest time in his life. The talk show host asked Tyson about his relationship with his wife, Paris, and the couple's childhood romance. Tyson shared that they met at a mutual friend's wedding a long time ago when they were just teenagers. He admitted that at first, he didn't realize Paris was the one for him, as he thought she was just a little girl compared to him, who was already 6 foot 6 and weighed about 16 stone.
Moving on, Jonathan Ross asked Tyson about his favorite fellow boxer out of all the opponents he's faced. Tyson revealed that while he didn't like any of his opponents at the time, Derek Chisora is his favorite fellow boxer. He spoke highly of Derek, calling him a top guy, athlete, and fighter with a great personality.
Jonathan was curious to know how Tyson calms his brain down before a fight. Tyson explained that he is actually the most relaxed fighter there is, and he doesn't get nervous or tense before a boxing match. He shared that he jokes around and has fun in the changing room, knowing that he has done all the hard work and preparation during his training camp. For Tyson, going into a fight is all about enjoying the moment and putting on a show for the audience.
The conversation then turned to Tyson's significant weight loss in recent years. Jonathan mentioned that Tyson lost a staggering 10 stone, and asked him how he achieved such a transformation. Tyson revealed that it took him about seven months of intense training and eating healthily to shed the weight. He emphasized that his weight gain was due to periods of depression and anxiety, where he didn't train or eat properly. However, he found the strength to turn his life around and prioritize his physical and mental well-being.
Discussing his battle with mental health, Tyson shared that he has always suffered from mental health problems. However, he didn't fully understand what he was experiencing until he was diagnosed at the age of 29. He admitted that it was challenging to open up about it, as he comes from a fighting family where nobody talks about their feelings. Tyson shared that he decided to speak out about his mental health struggles to help others who might be going through similar situations. He has written books and made a documentary on the subject, hoping to break the stigma surrounding mental health.
Jonathan Ross and Tyson Fury delved deeper into the topic of mental health, discussing how important it is for men, especially those from working-class backgrounds, to have resources and support. Tyson stressed the significance of humor in opening up conversations about mental health among men. He highlighted the difference he observed between men and women, noting that men often struggle to express their feelings and tend to keep their problems to themselves. On the other hand, women are more inclined to talk about their issues openly and seek support from their friends.
Towards the end of the interview, the discussion moved away from boxing and mental health. Jonathan asked Tyson about his recent decision to ask for his name to be taken off the list of candidates for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award. Tyson explained that he doesn't need an award to validate his achievements or his identity as the people's champion. He asserted that he knows who he is and what he has accomplished in his life, and that is enough for him. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Tyson shared his aspiration to travel to space. He revealed that he has made progress towards making that dream come true and hopes to be one of the first to go into space with Virgin Galactic next year.
Tyson Fury's appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show offered a glimpse into the life of the heavyweight champion, showcasing his personal battles, triumphs, and aspirations. Through his honesty and openness, Tyson continues to inspire and bring awareness to important issues such as mental health in the world of sports and beyond.
