Boxing

WHEN Tyson Fury beat Deontay Wilder in their trilogy, he drew ‘First Blood’.But when he was a 10-year-old schoolboy at Styal Primary School, the Gypsy King dressed up as Sylvester Stallone’s famous character, John Rambo for World Book Day.
Tyson Fury dressed up Rambo for World Book DayCredit: Channel 5
Sylvester Stallone starred as the iconic John RamboCredit: Rex Features
The people’s champion, who brutally knocked out Wilder in round 11, attended the school in Cheshire till the age of 11 from 1993.
And the 33 year old is remembered fondly by a former teacher, who called him “kind and caring” during his time there.
However, while he worked hard in the classroom, he never managed to hand in any homework.
“Tyson started first in the infants and came into my class aged nine so I taught him,” his now retired teacher Jane Foddy told the Knutsford Guardian.
“The first thing I remember was his stature he was much bigger than all the other children. Even when he was aged six he looked like a 10 year old.
“I taught him all the subjects and he was so kind and caring with all the other younger children which was really nice to see.”

JOHN RAMBO
But it was on World Book Day when Fury, recognised as one of the showman of the ring, came into his own.
Standing in front of his class dressed as John Rambo, Fury told his fellow pupils he was going to be a famous boxerCredit: Channel 5
Teacher Jane Foddy taught Tyson Fury from the age of nine for two yearsCredit: Knutsford Guardian
Dressed up as macho Vietnam war vet Rambo, wearing a sleeveless top and a headband scarf, he stood at the front of the class and told his fellow pupils he was going to be a king of the ring.
“Tyson came as Rambo and said he was going to be a famous boxer,” Foddy said in Channel 5 documentary Tyson Fury: The Rise and Fall of the Gypsy King.
“We didn’t mind that Rambo wasn’t a book character. The fact that Tyson came to school dressed up and had a reason for dressing up as Rambo was just fabulous.”
TARGETED BY BULLIES
Through his school life, Fury’s size made him a target for other pupils who taunted him about his giant frame.
It would’ve been easy for the lanky kid to retaliate with his fists, however he learned to ignore the bullies.
Jane revealed: “Because he was so big the boys teased him because of his size and early on he learnt to control his temper by turning the other cheek and walking away.”
LIVED FOR SPORT
Early on, the school helped Manchester United fan Fury develop a love for sport.
And he also enjoyed school trips, where he got to show off his strength doing outdoor activities. But he always told Jane he was going to be a professional boxer.
Fury lived for sport at school, according to Jane FoddyCredit: Knutsford Guardian
Styal Primary School is in the posh setting of CheshireCredit: Channel 5
“He really enjoyed to play football but because it was such a small school all the children male and female played all sports, which also included netball and rounders.
“Another time when we we went on a school trip with outdoor activities which he really loved and included rock climbing and abseiling.
“However, he used to say to me that he was going to be a boxer when he grew up and one day was going to be a world champion.”
Although he was the model pupil when he was in school, getting Tyson to do his homework was a hard task.
“He left school at 11. He worked hard in the classroom, but didn’t do homework, or that sort of thing, so the education he had was limited to what he did in school,” Foddy revealed.
RECENT VISIT
Despite leaving over 20 years ago, Fury still has fond memories of Styal Primary School.
In fact, before Foddy retired he managed to pop in for a visit.
“When he came into school he told me about his boxing and to remind me that he had lovely memories of going to Styal Primary.
“He said one of his aims had always been to be taller than me (6ft), and indeed, he had beaten that (6ft, 9in)!”
Fury visited former teacher Jane Foddy before her retirementCredit: Channel 5
And since her retirement, Foddy has been keeping a close eye on Tyson’s career, where he currently reigns as WBC champion.
“I remember thinking crikey, he is going somewhere with his boxing and it was nice to think a lad from our school was succeeding,” she said.
“He used to talk about being a boxer when he dressed up as Rambo and then he became a boxer and now he is world champion, thus achieving his dream.
“I know that all the teachers who taught him are very proud of him.”
Fury has spoken in the past about Styal Primary School, which is rated “outstanding” by Ofsted.
“The school I went to had 47 kids in it. It was a really posh primary school – Prince Charles even visited us,” Fury said.
“There was no racial prejudice or abuse or anything.”
Styal Primary School was recently voted outstanding by OfstedCredit: Styal Primary School
When Tyson Fury was a pupil, Prince Charles came to visit Styal Primary SchoolCredit: Reuters
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DEONTAY WILDER is at a career crossroads after being destroyed by Tyson Fury in their trilogy fight.The Bronze Bomber was KOd in the eleventh-round of their epic clash at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
Andy Ruiz Jr would make for an incredibly fan-friendly fight for Deontay WilderCredit: Getty
Despite knocking the Gypsy King down twice in the fourth, he ran out of steam and was pummelled by the Brit.
It comes after a bruising lose previously and a draw before that as their feud finally came to an end.
But what’s next for the 35-year-old former Olympian after two career-sapping defeats on the bounce?
SunSport looks at five possible opponents for the American slugger if he decides not to retire.
ANTHONY JOSHUA
Joshua is all-set to face Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch next year after losing his belts last month.
Promoter Eddie Hearn claims he has already triggered his contract clause, but that has not been confirmed by the governing bodies yet.
What if the Brit and Wilder were finally were to get it on with both off the back of losses and the winner taking on the Fury against Usyk victor?

ANDY RUIZ JR
Since losing his world title in a rematch to Joshua in 2019, Ruiz Jr has fought just the once.
That was a fight with Mexican Chris Arreola, which he eventually won via unanimous decision.
A fight with Wilder – also a boxer who comes forward throwing bombs – seems like a potential fight of the year candidate.
DILLIAN WHYTE
If Whyte comes through a tough fight against Otto Wallin on 30 October, he will be mandatory to fight Fury.
The Brixton man has had topsy-turvy run to get his shot at the Gypsy King, following a loss to Alexander Povetkin.
But the Fury could look elsewhere, and with Whyte and Wilder two men who slug it out, it would make for a fan friendly encounter.
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Joyce is not getting any younger and needs to step up to the world class level quickCredit: Getty
JOE JOYCE
Joyce showed he is a force in the division after destroying up-and-coming banger Daniel Dubois last year.
He went on to beat Carlos Takam and is the mandatory for Usyk’s WBO belt – who is tied up with a Joshua rematch.
At 36 years old, the former Olympian hasn’t got long left, so a make-or-break fight with Wilder makes sense.
FILIP HRGOVIC
Hrgovic is an up-and-coming unbeaten star and seen as one of the dominant forces of the future.
The Croat is 13-0, but has not stepped up the world class level that he needs to take his career to the next step.
A fight with Wilder – off the back of a loss – works for both men. Its sink of swim for either.
Tyson Fury says he ‘nearly broke ankle’ after knocking down Deontay Wilder More