James Dean Fury has always loved boxing, basically since he was born, but it was only when he started training with his uncle, Peter Fury, that he really began to understand the sport.
Given his name, it is hardly surprising that the latest Fury to turn professional has been immersed in boxing for all of his 20 years.
In fact, the super-middleweight prospect tells Boxing News that he struggles to recall a time when he was involved in anything else.
“I’ve been around the sport all my life; was born and bred into it. So my first activity, as a kid, was obviously boxing.
“When I was born, my mum and dad bought me a pair of gloves and a rope – like a little boxing kit for babies – and, when I first walked into the gym, I just fell in love with it. I loved getting punched in the face and punching other people in the face.
“From around seven or eight years old, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living. I believe God put me on this planet to fight because, when I’m not boxing, there’s nothing else for me to do.”
It is one thing developing a passion for something, like boxing, but learning how to succeed at something is another matter entirely.
Fortunately, James Dean Fury did not have to go searching far and wide for a knowledgeable teacher, yet still he needed to prove worthy of such valuable tutelage.
“When I started training with my uncle Peter at 13 years old, he really opened my eyes and gave me a clear understanding of where I want to go.
“If I sat here and told you everything I’ve learned off my uncle Peter, we’d be here till Christmas.
“But when I was about 14 years old, he tested me. He put me in a trailer [caravan], just to see if I was really dedicated. Then he took me on full-time.”
As a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, it is fair to say that James Dean Fury has proved a receptive student.
But now, the young Fury must go one step further and establish himself in the pro ranks, starting with his Boxxer debut on August 8.
Having inked a deal with Ben Shalom’s promotional outfit, he will feature on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2, hoping to show fans that he possesses the indigents to win a world title.
“I’ve always been competitive – whether I’m running a race, at a school sports day or playing a board game … I want to win.
“And when it comes to fighting – something I’ve put my whole life into – please, believe me, I will win. I’ve sacrificed everything for this.”
With such competitive spirit, even the attention that comes with his family name does not seem to faze the cousin of a two-time heavyweight champion.
“Whoever you jump in the ring with, they’re going to try and take your head off. No one’s in there to have a dance with me, especially when they hear my name. We’re in the hurt game.”
It might be a cliché, but James Dean clearly does have boxing in his DNA, along with a fierce desire to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
