Why is Tyson Fury called The Gypsy King? Explaining the Champion's Nickname

Tyson Fury, known as "The Gypsy King," holds the title of reigning WBC heavyweight champ. He is set to face Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh this May. Fury's moniker, "The Gypsy King," stems from his Irish Traveller heritage, born in 1988 into a family with a deep connection to fighting and resilience.

In a 2015 interview with Ring Magazine, Fury shared,

"As Travellers, fearlessness is part of our culture. We’re not afraid of anyone. We have a do-or-die mentality. We’re born to fight and we often fight with no gloves for hours and hours. To be punched in the face with a pair of boxing gloves is a luxury really, isn’t it?"

This statement highlights the ingrained courage and toughness in his community, traits Fury embodies.

Tyson’s uncle and former trainer, Peter Fury, emphasized Tyson's boldness saying, "He jokes and laughs but he doesn’t care about upsetting anyone or putting his foot in it. I’m not being funny. If someone had two shotguns – one in each hand – Tyson would still tell them what he thought of them and would believe he’d come out on top. He has no value for what any person can do to him. He’s totally fearless."

Fury's family background is rooted in combat; his father, John Fury fought bare-knuckled and unlicensed before going professional. He was known as 'Gypsy' John Fury.

Over nearly a decade-long career, Tyson Fury has accumulated an impressive record of 33-0-1 (24 KOs). Notably defeating Deontay Wilder among others. His upcoming fight against Oleksandr Usyk aims to name the first undisputed champion in over two decades.

Apart from his remarkable fighting skills, Tyson owns up to personal traits like unmatched fearlessness and supreme confidence - truly believing "he’s the best man on the planet."

Fury’s life story, from heritage to sportsmanship paints a picture of perseverance intrinsic to his lineage - aptly earning him the title "The Gypsy King."