TYSON FURY became world boxing’s undisputed No1 when he KO’d Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas this weekend.
The Gypsy King looked to be in tip-top shape as he claimed a huge victory in the third and final battle against his American foe.
And looking back at Fury in 2017, it just goes to show how far he’s come.
The 6ft 9in powerhouse tipped the scales at a whopping 28 STONE back then.
Having become world heavyweight champion by beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, Fury fell into a deep depression that saw him pile on the pounds.
Opening up on his mental health battle, the Brit revealed he was knocking back 20 pints of lager a NIGHT – as well as whiskey and vodka.
Fury also said he had used cocaine, noting in 2016: “They say I’ve got a version of bipolar.
“I’m a manic depressive. I just hope someone kills me before I kill myself.
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“I’ve been out drinking, Monday to Friday to Sunday, and taking cocaine.
“I can’t deal with it, and the only thing that helps me is when I get drunk out of my mind.”
As well as the booze and drugs, Fury was also gorging on junk food including pizza, kebabs and chocolate.
And it sadly looked like he was never going to make a return after being stripped of his titles, as well as having his boxing licence suspended.
However, help came in the form of trainer Ben Davidson.
Linking up together in 2017, they began a vigorous exercise programme as Fury set his sights on reclaiming his belts.
And the Gypsy King went on to lose a staggering TEN stone.
Fury stuck to a strict diet that included eggs and bacon and breakfast, as well as PINTS of black coffee.
Other ‘good training fats’ he was allowed to eat were avocados, nuts, cheese, fish and meats.
But chips and other potato variants were off the menu, as well as pasta, cereal, rice, beans, lentils and most fruit.
Speaking at the time, Fury boomed: “I’ve always had a nutritionist and I’ve always had a strength and conditioning coach.
“If I want to train and fight, I do it, and if I don’t want to, I don’t do it.
“A pack of wild horses can’t make me do what I don’t want to do.”
As Fury approached the magic 18 stone mark, he made his ring return with wins over Sefer Seferi and Francesco Pianeta in 2018.
He then capped off a magical year by facing Wilder for the first time with the WBC heavyweight title on the line, with the result a controversial draw.
Sticking to Davidson’s exercise and diet plan, Fury then went on to beat Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin in 2019.
However, fearing he was too LIGHT after securing a rematch against Wilder, Fury replaced Davidson with legendary trainer SugarHill Steward.
Fury revealed he wanted to KO Wilder by being even more powerful.
And Steward had him eating a staggering 5,000 calories a DAY to build muscle and shed more fat.
Nutritionist and chef Greg Lockhart said: “First thing in the morning Tyson is definitely going to have a coffee with his breakfast and what he eats is dictated by the activities of the day.
“But one thing that’s constant every single day is he has: one fish, one chicken, and one red meat throughout the day in each one of his meals.
“It might go up and it might go down but he consumes about 5,000 calories a day.”
The heavyweight king, although looking leaner, came in at over 19 stone for his famous 2020 victory against Wilder.
Fury weighed even more for last night’s third fight at 19 stone 7lbs, but still looked to be in arguably the best shape of his career.
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It now remains to be seen who he fights next, with Dillian Whyte being tipped for a shot.
And based on that, Fury will then decide whether to stay the same, put on a few more pounds of muscle or become lighter.
But the fact remains that he is now the No1 of world boxing after an incredible comeback and inspirational journey.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
