WBC heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury has asked if he can be given a “limited edition” title rather than a knighthood, following calls for the ‘Gypsy King’ to be knighted.
Whilst the boxer has little interest in titles and does have an interesting past, to say the least, Fury has done an incredible amount of work in helping people with mental health issues.
Fury himself returned to boxing, after suffering from depression and having been on the brink of suicide.
He has overcome his personal hurdles sensationally, though, and is a two-time World Heavyweight Champion.
READ: Haas boss reveals Netflix ‘burden’
Former footballer Wayne Rooney is one of many to have called for the boxer to receive a knighthood, and not just for his incredible 37-0-1 record.
Instead of a knighthood like seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Fury wants to be made an “Emperor of the North of England”, something King Charles likely won’t agree to!
“A few sportspeople have it [a knighthood],” Fury told The Telegraph.
“Sir Mo Farah, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Sir Andy Murray. Well if all them people have had it, then I’d like something that no one else has had, especially a sportsperson.
“I’m a normal man but a limited edition, so I’d like something different. Maybe King Charles could make me the Emperor of the North of England!”
Fury would likely deserve a knighthood just for his contribution to British boxing alone, with the Brit being without a doubt one of the greatest British and heavyweight boxers of all-time.
His work in promoting awareness for mental health just adds to the reasons why he deserves to become ‘Sir Tyson Fury’, with the boxer admitting that “saving somebody’s life” is a feeling that “can’t be bought”.
READ: Charles Leclerc reveals Sebastian Vettel letter
“I’ll say this to you,” added Fury on his recent UK tour.
“I mean this, honestly. Going out on a Saturday night and getting paid to punch someone’s face in, winning and entertaining the crowd is one thing. That’s good. But saving somebody’s life – that can’t be bought.”
Hamilton received his knighthood following the conclusion of the controversial 2021 season, with the 37-year-old having previously been made an MBE in 2008, the year he won his first World Drivers’ Championship.