Meet the only 5 Boxers who have knocked down Tyson Fury

• Boxing heavyweight Tyson Fury suffered the first defeat of his career to Oleksandr Usyk last weekend
• He was knocked down by the Ukrainian in round 9 before losing by split decision
• There are only five boxers who have knocked down Tyson Fury throughout his career

On Saturday, May 18, boxing heavyweight Tyson Fury suffered the first defeat of his career to Oleksandr Usyk. Fury used his size to dominate his opponent to the mid-day stage after which Usyk grew into the fight.

At one point the Ukrainian landed several punches on a defenseless Fury who would eventually be saved by the bell and the referee. Well, it’s not everyday that we saw the Gypsy King get dominated like that in the ring. In fact, there are only five boxers who have knocked down Tyson Fury throughout his career. Let’s recall those moment today.

1. Neven Pajkic

Neven Pajkic. Photo/ Sky Sports.

Tyson Fury emerged as one of the finest heavyweights in the late 2000s. After securing 16 victories, the Briton faced little known Neven Pajkic for the Commonwealth heavyweight title on 12 November 2011. It was in front of a crowd in Manchester where Pajkic threatened Fury’s unbeaten run since turning pro.

The Canadian knocked down Fury to the canvas with a well timed right hand after catching him off guard. However, Fury managed to get back on his feet and secured his revenge in the third round when he knocked out Pajkic to defend the Commonwealth heavyweight title.

2. Steve Cunningham

Barely one year after Neven Pajkic almost stopped Fury, Steve Cunningham also threatened to halt the Briton’s impressive run when they met in New Work. It was Fury’s first fight in the United States of America and it looked as if Fury was in for an easy night considering his opponent had just moved up from cruiserweight.

However, Cunningham ended up causing a lot of problems for the Gypsy King right from the start of the fight. The American almost got the job done in the second round when he landed a huge right that dropped Fury to the ground. However, the future heavyweight champion got back on his feet and continued fighting before stopping Cunningham in the seventh round. The American is one of the boxers who have knocked down Tyson Fury.

3. Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder was one of the most feared boxers in the world when he faced Tyson Fury for the first time back in 2018. The American was fresh from a knockout win over Luis Ortiz and wanted to keep the momentum going by defeating Fury.

Both fighters showed brilliance in the early rounds but before the big moment came in round nine. Wilder dropped Fury with a short left hook and followed it with an overhand right. The American was on Fury again in the final round as he landed two punches that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas.

While everyone thought it was over, Fury somehow managed to beat the count and continue with the fight to the end. The fight was declared a split draw.

Fury and Wilder had an encounter again in 2020, which  the Briton won via knockout in round seven. Aiming to take revenge in their next fight the following year, Wilder started the fight as the aggressor. However, the Englishman soon caught up with Wilder and both were showing their abilities equally.

Deontay Wilder is one of the boxers who have knocked down Tyson Fury. Photo/ Fox Sports.

Wilder then proved why he is one of the best heavyweights in the fourth round as he stunned Fury by knocking him down with a strong right. A determined Fury managed to stand but was once again floored by the American. However, it was the Gypsy King who ended up securing a knockout win in round eleven as he combined punches to send Wilder to the canvas.

4. Francis Ngannou

On 28 September 2023, Tyson Fury avoided one of the most upsetting defeats in boxing history when he secured a split decision win over Francis Ngannou. The result of the fight was a bit controversial and divided boxing fans considering how the former UFC fighter dominated Fury at some point.

In the third round of the fight, Ngannou landed a fierce punch on The Gypsy King that sent him to the ground. The all arena was in disbelief and some thought that the Predator had just secured a TKO win in his first pro boxing fight. However, Fury did what he always does – stood up and continued with the fight to the final round after which the judges ruled in his favour.

5. Oleksandr Usyk

Tyson Fury. Photo/MMA Fighting

Closing the list of boxers who have knocked down Tyson Fury is Oleksandr Usyk. The highly anticipated clash between Usyk and Fury went down last weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fury seemed to be in control of the fight mid-way but the defining moment came in round 9 as Usyk landed several punches on Fury sending him to the canvas.

Many argued that the fight should have been stopped at that point as the Ukrainian had totally overpowered Fury. However, the referee waited a little longer and the Gypsy King was saved by the bell. Usyk won the fight via split decision becoming the first boxer to stop Fury.