Saudi Arabia – British boxer Tyson Fury has cut all contact with his wife, Paris, for the past three months to focus on his preparation for the heavyweight title rematch against Oleksandr Usyk on December 21.
In the past, Paris's presence and calm demeanor in the dressing room before a fight served as a source of motivation for Fury. However, this time, the 36-year-old boxer has avoided seeing his wife to ensure he reaches his “most ruthless” mental and physical state. Fury emphasized that such sacrifices are worthwhile if he successfully avenges his loss to Usyk in the rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“It’s been a long training camp,” Fury told TNT Sports on December 16. “I’ve been away from my wife and kids for three months, not even speaking to Paris—not a single word. I’ve sacrificed a lot.”
Tyson Fury's New Look Before the Oleksandr Usyk Rematch. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
The British boxer has also changed his appearance. In their first bout on May 18, Fury shaved his beard. This time, he has grown a full beard, partly because he didn’t want to touch anything below his eyes, letting his facial hair grow out. Fury also admitted to neglecting his usual grooming habits.
However, Fury's new look could potentially conflict with boxing regulations, which require fighters’ cheeks to be clearly visible for safety reasons and to assist referees in officiating.
Usyk lands a clean left jab on Tyson Fury’s face during the undisputed heavyweight title bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 18. Photo: AP
Fury married Paris in 2008, and the couple has seven children. Paris is often seen in attendance, supporting her husband during his fights. However, she was absent when Fury lost to Usyk in their first encounter.
Fury revealed that Paris suffered a miscarriage the night before the fight but did not tell him at the time. Despite this, the 36-year-old sensed something was wrong during their phone call. “When she said she couldn’t come, I knew there was a problem,” Fury recalled. “She usually comes during fight week, but that day she said she had high blood pressure. I asked her what really happened, but she didn’t say. I just knew something was wrong and told my brother, ‘She’s lost the baby.’ She never spoke about it, but I knew.”
Tyson Fury and Paris Fury with Their Seven Children. Photo: Instagram Paris Fury
Paris had previously given birth to a stillborn child in 2014 and suffered a miscarriage four years later. The tragic event in 2018 occurred on the day Fury returned to boxing after a three-year absence, fighting Sefer Seferi in June 2018. Paris only revealed the truth after her husband’s victory.
Fury insists that the miscarriage did not affect his performance against Usyk, but coach Andy Lee disagreed. “Fury never mentioned it and was very quiet,” Lee told British outlet Sunsport. “When you rewatch the fight, you can see Fury wasn’t himself.”
In their first bout in May 2024, Usyk won on points to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era—WBA, IBF, WBC, and WBO. However, the Ukrainian was later stripped of the IBF belt, now held by Daniel Dubois, and will defend only the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts against Fury on December 21.