Broadcasts
LAST WEEK, Netflix dropped its latest docuseries, At Home with the Furys, a nine-episode rollercoaster that looks at the everyday life of one Tyson Fury and his family. While this might not be that exciting for hardcore boxing fans (it’s more Keeping Up with the Kardashians than it is Showtime: All Access) but it is notable for a British fighter to have this much exposure on an entertainment juggernaut like Netflix. At the time of this writing, At Home with the Furys is the most-watched show on the platform in the UK.
The premise of the show is how Fury and his family live after he has retired from boxing. Of course, we now know that he very much hasn’t hung up his gloves, so some of the scenes that ponder on whether or not he’ll box again are outdated, but it doesn’t make the show redundant.
In fact, Tyson isn’t really the star of the show. It’s his wife, Paris, and their children that make this a thoroughly entertaining watch. And where the docuseries truly succeeds in its focus on Tyson is how it covers his various mental health issues. Because, as a husband and father, those issues don’t just affect him but also his family.
Those reading this will likely know that Tyson was diagnosed as bipolar several years ago and struggles with depression and anxiety. He has battled substance abuse and suicidal ideations. But knowing about these problems and actually seeing how they manifest in someone’s life are two very different things. At one point, Tyson randomly tries to book a trip to Pompeii, only to discover there are no airports there. It’s initially played for a laugh until, seconds later, Paris explains how Tyson’s bipolar causes manic episodes. Paris and the children, in effecting pieces to camera, talk about how his mental health battles impact them.
So, although the series was filmed at a time when Fury had not actually retired from boxing, it did still address what is perhaps the biggest question in his life: what happens when he does, eventually, leave the sport for good? He’s spoken at length about how training and fighting keep the demons at bay, so what will happen when he can no longer do those things? The good news, as this show highlights, is that Paris and their children are rather incredible at supporting him. Paris, in particular, is a force of nature and over the course of the nine episodes it’s made clear not only how successful she’s been within her own career, but how strong she has been for her family. She is remarkably unflappable and only loses her temper a couple of times during the series, despite the endless chaos ensuing around her.
Often, when sports stars have docuseries made about them there are almost no revelations. A recent limited series looking at the past few years of Conor McGregor’s life for example (also produced by Netflix) offered up very little of anything new for those already familiar with him. But At Home with the Furys is different, and it’s probably because Tyson’s boxing career is not the focus. Even the most well-versed Fury fan will get something fresh from it.
YouTube
Over the past couple of weeks we’ve seen something that should have happened years ago: Terence Crawford on a legitimate media tour. Though ruthless in the ring, Crawford is notoriously mild-mannered when dealing with the media and this has been to the detriment of his market value at times. But, since spectacularly dismantling Errol Spence Jnr a few weeks ago, ‘Bud’ has made appearances on countless podcasts, YouTube channels and media outlets. It’s the sort of exposure he has deserved for years. He’s clearly more comfortable speaking with the media now and expressing more of his personality.
Crawford is enjoying his victory lap after beating Errol Spence Jr. (Getty Images)
And, having beaten the best of the best in the numerous weight classes he’s operated in to date, Crawford now has his sights set on the biggest fights possible. He spoke of his desire to move to 168lbs – jumping three weight divisions in the process – and face Canelo Alvarez. And given who he’s faced and what he’s achieved so far, you’d be remiss to think he’s just paying lip service.
Canelo himself has also been out with the media promoting his upcoming bout with Jermell Charlo who, funnily enough, is taking a leap across two weight classes to face the Mexican superstar. Canelo, now 33 but who has been fighting professionally since he was about 15, declared that he intends to carry on fighting for at least another four or five years. Some have reacted with surprise, given how much money Alvarez has earned throughout his glittering career and how he does seem to be on the decline. It of course raises the age-old question of when fighters should retire – and if someone should make that decision for them – but if there is any current fighter who has earned the right to close out their career on their own terms, it’s Canelo Alvarez.
Websites
We’ve known about the benefits of evidence-based strength and conditioning within boxing for years now, and the practice has evolved immeasurably. The New York Times published an interesting interview with Larry Wade, a S&C coach who comes from a track and field background. He currently works with the likes of Robeisy Ramirez, and previously whipped Shawn Porter into shape when he was fighting.
The article looks at the different training methods used for fighters but it also highlights a trend which has seen more and more athletics champions move into careers as S&C coaches for fighters, utilising their knowledge of explosive and anaerobic training.
Boxing on the Box
August 26
Oleksandr Usyk-Daniel Dubois
TNT Sports Box Office
Coverage begins at 6pm
August 27
Jared Anderson-Andriy Rudenko
Sky Sports Arena
Coverage begins at 2.30am
Oscar Collazo-Garen Diagan
DAZN
Coverage begins at 1am