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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Tyson Fury hopes his new Netflix series puts 500 million eyes on Morecambe

Tyson Fury with his 'Thank You' card from Coastal Amateur Boxing Club

Tyson Fury has told Beyond Radio that he hopes half a billion people worldwide will see Morecambe in all its glory when his Netflix series is released soon.

The world heavyweight champion, in an exclusive interview, also revealed that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak popped round to see him for a cuppa on his recent visit to Morecambe.

Fury was speaking on Wednesday at Coastal Amateur Boxing Club in the town, where he'd donated some boxing equipment to help the club's young fighters with their training.

Two of the WBC Champion's young sons, Prince John James, 11, and Prince Tyson II, six, have been training at the gym on West End Road.

Tyson is pictured here with the boxers and coaches at Coastal Amateur Boxing Club in Morecambe

During the interview, the WBC Heavyweight Champion also said that he'd turned down the opportunity to buy Morecambe Football Club.

The world-famous fighter also said he doesn't believe businessman Sarbjot Johal - who is in the process of an attempted takeover of the Shrimps - will buy the club either.

LISTEN to Beyond Radio's full exclusive interview with Tyson Fury

New series on the Furys

Fury's new Netflix series, mainly filmed in his adopted hometown of Morecambe, is due for release soon.

"That's out this year, it's supposed to be in the first quarter I think," he said.

"The first episode should be out quite soon but you never can tell with these TV people. Basically it's all been (filmed) in Morecambe apart from my holidays abroad.

"I think they'd said it's going to have 500 million viewers. So 500 million extra eyes will see our good old seaside town of Morecambe Bay, see what they think of it around the world."

Netflix has said it aims to reach a target of 500 million (half a billion) subscribers by 2030.

Although the entertainment streaming giant currently has less than half that number, that still means more than 200 million people worldwide could potentially watch the fly-on-the-wall story of Tyson (pictured below beating Dereck Chisora in his last fight) and his family's life in Morecambe, when it's released.

That figure could rise through new subscriptions and if the content remains on the channel for years.

Living in Morecambe

Fury lives with his wife Paris and six children in Morecambe and spoke about his affinity with the town.

"I like Morecambe and if I didn't, I wouldn't live here," he said.

"People ask why do you live in Morecambe? Because I want to.

"Usually what happens is, when someone makes a few quid, they want to move from where they were originally and they want to get away from who they are. Me, I made a few quid and I stayed exactly where I was.

"I bought my first house on Osborne Road in Morecambe, two-bedroom, it was a bungalow, then I moved from there down to Hest Bank on the front, then I moved back to Morecambe, so I've moved literally half a mile from my first house.

"I don't get mithered here as much as I would do in big cities. If I do leave Morecambe, it wouldn't be to a different UK town, it would be to a different country, for sure."

The PM pops round for tea

The 6ft 9in boxer said Rishi Sunak visited him during his trip to the town in January (see below).

The Prime Minister was in Morecambe as the government awarded £50m to build the Eden Project attraction on the Promenade.

"I saw Rishi Sunak when he came here, he popped round to see me for a cup of tea," said the boxing star.

Morecambe FC

As well as helping a local boxing club, the world champion fighter also sponsors Morecambe Football Club.

Before his most recent fight, a 10th round win over Dereck Chisora in December, Fury revealed that he'd been offered the chance to buy the club, which is up for sale, and was thinking it over.

Since then, it has been announced that 20-year-old businessman Sarbjot Johal has bought a stake in the Shrimps, and is aiming to complete a takeover, subject to passing English Football League checks.

Related Story: Tyson Fury declares interest in purchasing the Shrimps - Beyond Radio

Speaking on Wednesday, Tyson said: "I got asked would I want to buy the club, basically I said no, I'm not interested, that was it, and the papers will make what they will of it.

"I think it was a good story for them to say Tyson's interested in buying Morecambe Football Club.

"Just like this other lad (Johal) is doing now. He won't buy Morecambe Football Club. Guaranteed. I'd put £10 on it.

"I hope he does, but I don't think so. It's just another bit of press for them, to help with their business.

"I've been sponsoring the Morecambe's Ladies team. I don't know many people who sponsor ladies football. Then I got the opportunity to sponsor the men's team as well. It probably helped the club out a little bit, with paying some bills."

Tyson also owns a boxing gym at the Mazuma Stadium complex, which he says has been a "game-changer" for his training routine.

"Before I had the gym, I got the gym in around September 2020, I used to keep fit at Salt Ayre.

"Then if I wanted to go boxing, I was going to (former world champion) Ricky Hatton's gym in Hyde. It's an hour and 20 minutes there, then do a couple of hour's training and drive back, it's a four or five hour journey, three times a week. It was difficult.

"Now if I want to go and train at any time, I can."

Fury can often be seen running along Morecambe seafront and regularly trains with fellow local boxer, 'The Westgate Warrior' Isaac Lowe.

Featherweight Lowe (pictured below with his friend) has travelled the world at Tyson's side and appeared on the undercard of many of his biggest fights.

"I've known Isaac since he was about 11 or 12," said Fury.

"The connection with Isaac is through Morecambe, basically. I've been here for 14 years, we've always been friendly and it's been the Little and Large show!

"If I can get him on a show, and he's fit and ready, I will."

Undisputed

Tyson has been a professional boxer since 2008, amassing an undefeated record of 33 wins and 1 draw, with 24 wins inside the distance.

He first captured the world heavyweight title from long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko, in a stunning upset victory in November 2015.

After a well-publicised battle with mental health problems, Fury made an inspiring comeback to the ring in 2018, capturing the WBC belt from hard-punching American Deontay Wilder in February 2020, before defeating Wilder in a thrilling rematch in 2021.

Tyson then beat Dillian Whyte in April 2022 in front of a record-breaking 94,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, and after briefly retiring, returned to stop his old rival Chisora in December. 

Related Stories: Tyson Fury beats Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium then vows to retire - Beyond Radio

Tyson Fury retains World Heavyweight Title against brave Chisora - Beyond Radio

There is now talk that the charismatic Morecambe fighter, one of the most recognisable faces in the world, will meet undefeated WBA, IBF and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk (pictured below staring down with Fury) for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

But Tyson said there was still no date or venue confirmed for this fight.

"The talks for the fight with Usyk are still going," he said.

"All talk and no deliverance.

"I actually have not been on social media since October last year. I deleted the apps and won't be returning. I like my battery life too much.

"I think (for) all the information that you need to know about the Usyk or any other boxing fights, you've got to speak to the promoters.

"I made a vow not to get involved any more because one, it causes me stress, and two it causes me anxiety and depression.

"It should be a rewarding thing, to get a big fight, you should feel good about it. But with all the talks back and forward...it just goes on and on and on, and for someone with severe mental health issues, I don't think it's wise for me to get involved with this back and forth.

"I don't know anything about it right now. We shall see. But as of today, I've not even had an offer from anybody, to do a fight.

"I've been undefeated for 14 years. I can beat any man, there's no doubt about that. They can't defeat me in a boxing ring, for sure."

Coastal Amateur Boxing Club

Tyson also spoke about Coastal Amateur Boxing Club and his hopes for some of the young boxers who train there.

"I was down here on Saturday night (at their show) and it was good to see it, really.

"I've donated some stuff to the kids here, some boxing gloves and bags, just to help out in the gym really.

"It's basically to just have a presence here, supporting local kids. I'm the world heavyweight champion, it's very rare that happens. If Muhammad Ali came to see a young 10-year-old kid box, it would be a big thing for them, they'd remember it forever. This is on my doorstep, so it was good to get down here.

"There seems to be plenty of talent about, so if having the world heavyweight champion in your own town, a little seaside town of Morecambe, doesn't inspire them to box, then nothing will, will it?"

Fury also said that he hoped his sons wouldn't become professional boxers, but felt they were benefitting from coming to the Coastal gym.

"I wouldn't want my kids to try to make a living out of boxing. It's a very unrewarding game and very unforgiving game.

"There's much more chance of doing something, and making a life for yourself, out of getting an education and trying to do well academically, than trying to be a fighter and getting your brains knocked out for money.

"I do believe, though, that boxing is a very very good sport for teaching kids how to conduct in a proper manner.

"My kids have started coming here for about two or three weeks now. One is 11 and one is six. I like them to be in a boxing environment because it teaches respect and manners and how to interact with other people."

Thank you to Tyson Fury for the interview and to Coastal Amateur Boxing Club.

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