TYSON FURY has revealed that racist abuse made him feel like an outsider.
The Brit has disclosed in a new book how he had to tackle racist behaviour as a youngster because he was from an Irish traveller family.
Tyson Fury is from an Irish traveller background and says he suffered racist abuse because of thisCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Gypsy King is currently on a book tour ahead of the release of his autobiography Behind the Mask, out tomorrow (November 14).
He said: “I went into the paid ranks off the back of an amateur career during which I was aware of racism against travellers.
“This made me an outsider and so I felt that for me to get the attention I needed to be an attraction in the sport, I had to play the outlaw.
“I confess I didn’t react as I should have done and I regret how I came across at times.
“I was angry and felt under-appreciated.”
He says this is what prompted his controversial comments about paedophiles and homosexuals, which prompted a huge backlash.
Fury, 31, who has battled drug addiction, also made sexist statements about women.
He said: “I felt I had to act out a role to seek publicity and to do that I had to be controversial and shock people with how I talked.
“To some degree it worked. But playing the role got to the point where I didn’t know what was real and what was the act.”
The Brit, who has also confirmed a rematch with American heavyweight champions Deontay Wilder on February 22, had a mental breakdown after winning his fight against Ukrainian legend Wlaidmir Klitschko in 2015 amid his ongoing battle with bipolar and OCD conditions.
It was after that stunning win that his life unravelled in a downward spiral as he spent 30 months outside of the ring.
He said: “I started playing this part, being arrogant and cocky.
“I eventually lost myself in this character.
“When I started out as a pro, I made a decision which on reflection played a big part in exacerbating my moments of despair.”
But Fury bounced back when he shocked the world by holding Wilder to a draw in Las Vegas in December 2018.
The rematch is unlikely to be in the UK.
Fury vowed he would not fight in his own country as he is treated badly.
He is more than likely to fight Wilder in the USA.
The Brit previously stated: “Over here [USA], I get treated like a superstar.”
Tyson Fury will never fight in the UK again and says fame is ‘torture’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
