Tyson Fury, the larger-than-life heavyweight boxing champion and multiple titleholder, is often in the spotlight not just for his achievements but also for the past controversies regarding alleged cheating with his gloves.
Fury has been the subject of glove tampering allegations, particularly in his fights against Deontay Wilder and Christian Hammer, and even in discussions before his bout with Francis Ngannou.
The Tyson Fury Cheating Gloves Saga Began In 2015 During A Fight Against Christian Hammer
A video from the show shows the referee inspecting Fury’s left glove and noticing something odd: the thumb section was detached.
Some fans believe this suggests the glove’s padding was removed, which could make punches more complicated and more dangerous.
In the footage, Fury appears nervous, fidgeting as the referee examines the glove. This body language fueled speculation that he was hiding something.
However, there’s another side to the story. Some argue the glove was damaged unintentionally, possibly during warm-ups.
Wear and tear are common in boxing, especially during intense pre-fight preparations.
The referee caught the issue before the fight started, and Fury was forced to replace the glove.
No punches were thrown with the damaged glove, and the fight went on without further issues.
The Tyson Fury cheating gloves controversy peaked after his fights against Deontay Wilder.
Fury and Wilder fought three times between 2018 and 2021, with Fury winning the first two fights and the other two ending in a draw.
After losing in 2020, Wilder didn’t hold back. He accused Fury of tampering with his gloves, claiming they were “loaded” with a hard object.
Wilder said in a passionate social media video,
“I highly believe you had something hard in your glove, something the size and the shape of an egg-weight. It’s the reason why the side of my face swelled up in an egg-weight form. And it left a dent in my face as well.”
Via Fox Sports
Wilder’s fans backed him up, pointing to slow-motion videos of Fury’s gloves during the fights.
The gloves appeared “floppy,” as if they had less padding or Fury’s fists weren’t properly positioned.
Wilder also claimed that Fury hit him with his wrists or open hands in their first fight—techniques that are against boxing rules and could suggest glove manipulation.
These accusations painted a picture of Fury as a cheater who bent the rules to win.
But Fury’s team pushed back hard. Trainer Ben Davison and cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran called the claims “nonsense.”
They explained that boxing gloves are thoroughly checked by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and the opponent’s team before every fight.
Tampering would be nearly impossible under such scrutiny.
Davison also pointed out that Fury’s unique punching style, often described as “throwaway” punches or open-hand slaps, makes his gloves look looser than usual.
This could explain the “floppy” appearance without any foul play.
Fury himself didn’t take the accusations seriously. He mocked Wilder, joking that he’d stuff his gloves with “horseshoes and dynamite” next time. For Fury, the claims were just sour grapes from a defeated opponent.
The Tyson Fury cheating gloves rumors didn’t stop with Wilder.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore his 2023 fight with Fury, former UFC champion Francis Ngannou raised similar concerns.
Ngannou said he’d heard complaints from Wilder and another boxer, Derek Chisora, about Fury’s gloves.
Ngannou planned to double-check Fury’s gloves before their bout to be safe. While Ngannou didn’t provide evidence, his comments kept the controversy alive.
Podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan offered a different perspective.
He suggested that Fury’s “flinging” punching style might create the illusion of tampered gloves.
When Fury throws punches, his gloves move in a way that can look like they have less padding, even if they’re perfectly legal.
Rogan’s theory aligns with what Fury’s team has said: it’s all about technique, not cheating.
An Additional Aspect Of The Tyson Fury Glove Controversy Involves Unverified Claims
A forum post online alleged that some of Fury’s sparring partners noticed tampered gloves during training sessions.
According to the post, these partners felt Fury’s punches were brutal, suggesting the gloves were off. However, this is purely hearsay.
No names were mentioned, and no solid evidence supports these claims. In boxing, rumors like this can spread quickly, but they don’t hold much weight without proof.
Fury’s past isn’t spotless; some fans point to it as a reason to doubt his integrity.
In 2016, it was revealed that Fury tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug (PED) nandrolone after his 2015 fight with Wladimir Klitschko.
The positive test led to a suspension and raised questions about his earlier performances.
While the PED issue has nothing to do with gloves, it’s often brought up in discussions about the Tyson Fury cheating gloves controversy.
Critics argue that if Fury was willing to use PEDs, he might also tamper with equipment. However, this is speculation, not evidence.
Despite the accusations, there’s no absolute proof that Fury tampered with his gloves.
The Hammer glove was caught and replaced before the fight, and no official investigations have confirmed wrongdoing in the Wilder bouts.
The 2015 Hammer incident is the closest thing to evidence, but it was caught and fixed before the fight began.
The Wilder allegations rely heavily on videos and personal accounts, which Fury’s team has explained due to his unique style.
Ngannou’s concerns and sparring partner rumors add intrigue but are light on substance.
Boxing is a sport full of drama, and controversies like this often take on their own life.
Fury’s larger-than-life persona and past mistakes make him an easy target, but the lack of concrete evidence suggests the Tyson Fury cheating gloves story is more myth than reality.
Still, the debate will likely continue if fans keep sharing those slow-motion clips.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tyson also held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title during his first reign as champion.
- He married Paris (née Mullroy) in 2008 and has seven children: four sons and three daughters.
- Fury’s mother was a Protestant, and his father was a Catholic, though neither actively practised their religions.
The post Former Boxer Tyson Fury Cheating Gloves Controversy Involves Compelling Footage, Passionate Accusations, And Unanswered Questions appeared first on Players Bio.