With Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2 just days away, we're looking back at every time 'The Gypsy King' had to climb off the canvas.
Throughout his esteemed career, the Brit has proven his fighting spirit beyond any doubt.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Knockdown one: Neven Pajkić
In 2015, Tyson Fury climbed the heavyweight mountain and defeated Wladimir Klitschko in a performance fans will never forget. But long before he ever stepped foot in the ring with the Ukrainian icon, his undefeated record almost collapsed around him when he took on Neven Pajkić at just 22 years old.
In the second round, the Canadian brawler shocked the world, dropping the heavy favorite with a thunderous overhand right.
For the first time in his life, Fury found himself in a crisis and had to hold on while his opponent searched for the shot that ended the fight. Showing his will to win, the Englishman survived the storm and fought his way back into the match, eventually ending the fight himself in the next round.
Knockdown two: Steve Cunningham
On April 20, 2013, Fury made his American debut against former world cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York.
Throughout the build-up, the boxer was his usual entertaining self, making fun of his rival at every possible opportunity. However, while the press conference was fun, things almost went horribly wrong in the ring.
In the second round, a showboat Fury was caught with a right hand that sent him spiraling toward the canvas.
Consequently, the 6-foot-1 giant adjusted his tactics and opted to deviate from his plan to box the American, instead using his height to bully him around the ring.
In the seventh round, Fury detonated possibly the most devastating shot of his career, albeit controversially set up with his forearm, to close the show.
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Knockdown three and four: Deontay Wilder 1
After his crowning moment against Klitschko, Fury unfortunately struggled with depression, which kept him out of the ring for a number of years.
After two comeback fights, he jumped right back into the deep end and challenged Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight championship.
Although many thought it was far too soon for the flashy boxer to take on the greatest puncher in the history of the sport, he rose to the occasion and left 'The Bronze Bomber' chasing shadows with his elusive footwork.
Although he had to be perfect for 36 minutes, Wilder only had to be perfect for one second, which reminded Fury how hard he can hit when he dropped him in the ninth.
The warrior remained calm, returned to boxing and dominated the fight until a devastating right hand laid him down.
In a moment where his own cousin, Nathan Gorman, described him as “like the Undertaker,” Fury, who looked knocked out, somehow got up and actually gained the upper hand for the remainder of the final segment, which deserved a draw. with the judges. Although most believe he should have won outright.
Knockdown five and six: Deontay Wilder 3
After a great first fight, Fury pounded Wilder from pillar to post in the rematch, stopping him in the seventh round. With that in mind, few were excited about the trilogy.
Despite falling out of form, the Wilmslowian started quickly, sending his nemesis crashing towards the canvas in the third inning.
But as the end seemed near, Wilder refused to give in and in the next round landed a right hand so thunderous it visibly sent shockwaves through Fury's body. For the first time in his career, the trash talker's legs were gone.
While he managed to free himself from the floor, he was back on the canvas within moments.
Biting his teeth, Fury overcame the fearsome tide, using his superior weight to tire his arch-rival before dropping him in the tenth and ending the rivalry once and for all in the eleventh.
Knockdown seven: Francis Ngannou
There have been some surprising setbacks in Fury's career, but none more so than that of Francis Ngannou.
Ahead of the match, boxing fans were anything but excited about the clash, with most agreeing that while 'The Predator' is a fantastic athlete, he was certainly not a practitioner of the 'sweet science'.
That's why no one could believe their eyes when the Cameroonian landed a beautiful left hook in the third round.
Not particularly hurt, an embarrassed Fury rose on his way to winning a split decision. However, to this day, there are still those who firmly believe that Ngannou won the fight.
Knockdown eight: Oleksandr Usyk
There may never have been a more intriguing heavyweight matchup than Oleksandr Usyk versus Tyson Fury. On paper, the two boxing geniuses presented almost unsolvable puzzles, leaving the boxing community positively drooling at the sight of a chess match at the highest level.
After a good start from the former undisputed cruiserweight King, Fury began to make his mark by landing powerful shots, including an uppercut that shook Usyk to his core.
But like so many before him, The Gypsy King collided with the southpaw's relentless motor and took a left hook in the ninth that left him on the brink of disaster.
With his legs completely gone, Usyk punched him from one side of the ring to the other, with the referee ultimately scoring a knockdown after he fell into the ropes.
Somehow Fury made it to the end of the fight, but for the first time in his career the judges ruled he had lost the fight, leaving him chomping at the bit to get back into the squared circle for revenge .
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