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Behind the Mask

Behind the Mask

Winner of the Telegraph Sports Book of the Year

Summary

THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, IN HIS OWN WORDS
Read by Pound for Pound podcast's Jake Wood, with an introduction read by Tyson Fury.

The UK's bestselling boxing book since records began. Shortlisted for the 2020 Sports Biography of the Year.

The extraordinary story of the rise and fall and rise again of Tyson Fury...

THE GYPSY KING.

A Manchester lad from Irish Traveller stock, born three months premature and weighing just a pound at birth, Tyson (named after his father's boxing hero) grew up to become one of the most unlikely heavyweight champions in history. This 'dream come true' soon turned to nightmare, however, as alcohol and cocaine abuse took hold and Tyson was stripped of his titles. What followed was the darkest moment of his life - detailed in this book for the first time - in which he came within seconds of ending everything.

THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION.

Like all the greatest stories, though, there is redemption and Tyson defies all the odds and literally drags himself to his feet. 10 million people around the globe watched Fury fight Wilder in the biggest fight of the boxing calendar. Speaking candidly about his struggles with mental health, this is Tyson Fury as you have never seen him before.

A BRITISH ICON.

Behind the Mask is an unflinching autobiography from the greatest boxer of our time and a man who has demonstrated strength of a very different kind by conquering his demons.

'One of sport's most heart-warming stories' SUNDAY TIMES, SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR

'A must-read for any boxing fan.' WORLD BOXING NEWS

'If you know someone who's a fan of the People's Champion, then they'll love this.' TALKSPORT

'It's a great book. If I could read, I'd buy it.' BILLY JOE SAUNDERS, WBO World Super-Middleweight Champion

'I didn't believe boxers could be role models, but Tyson Fury has changed my mind... This 30-year-old Mancunian has made us all think twice about the possibilities of redemption.' SIMON KELNER, INDEPENDENT

'An amazing family... An amazing story' RICHARD & JUDY

'Tyson Fury has become Britain's most unlikely inspirational figure... the sight of a broken Fury caught a mood with the public. Never was the epithet "People's Champion" more apt' RON LEWIS, THE TIMES

'Incredible stories... you don't have to be a boxing fan to enjoy it' SCOTT MILLS, BBC RADIO 1

'Tyson Fury is an amazing real-life champion' SYLVESTER STALLONE, star of Rocky

'You may not have any interest in boxing at all and you will find this story about Tyson's life fascinating' BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

'An unusual, heartening story, nicely told. There is much to amaze and admire' SUNDAY TIMES

'Fury delivers on his Behind The Mask promise. Beneath the rowdy showmanship is a gifted athlete with bottomless reservoirs of determination and a rare willingness to be frank about his vulnerability to depression.' THE SPORTSMAN

© Tyson Fury 2019 (P) Penguin Audio 2019

Reviews

  • Speaking candidly about his struggles with mental health, this is Tyson Fury as you've never seen him before.
    Daily Telegraph

About the author

Tyson Fury

During his storied 36-fight career, Tyson Fury has established himself as one of the best heavyweight fighters of all time.

Born and raised in Manchester, Fury weighed just 1lb at birth after being born three months premature. His father John named him after Mike Tyson.

From Irish Traveller heritage, the ‘Gypsy King’ first shocked the boxing world in 2015, when he stunned long-time champion Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles.

Due to struggles with his mental health, Tyson did not fight again for more than two years. Most thought he was done with boxing forever, until an amazing comeback fight with Deontay Wilder in December 2018. It was an instant classic, ending in a split-decision tie. Tyson was victorious in the second fight against Deontay Wilder in February 2020, defeating his opponent by seventh-round technical knockout. In October 2021, Tyson concluded the trilogy with victory against Deontay Wilder by an emphatic eleventh-round technical knockout. In March 2022, Fury successfully defended his heavyweight crown at Wembley Stadium against Dillian Whyte, winning by knockout with a devastating uppercut in the sixth round.

Outside of the ring, Tyson Fury is a mental health ambassador. He lives with his wife Paris and seven children in Morecambe, and most mornings can be found running and training along Morecambe Bay.
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