According to Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, Tyson Fury has been asked to stand reports from LBC and Paper i.

LBC reported that sources close to both the former unified heavyweight champion and the party confirmed that Fury was not interested in politics. The same report shows that Reform UK and Fury have been contacted for comment.

The context of the approach

The reports come as Reform UK prepares for a by-election in Makerfield, Greater Manchester, triggered by the resignation of Labor MP Josh Simons to make way for Andy Burnham. In the local elections held earlier this month, Reform won the eight Makerfield wards with 50.4% of the vote, Labor on 22.7% and the Greens on just under 11%, according to LBC.

Farage said the party would “throw absolutely everything” at the seat, LBC reported, and was looking for huge names to spearhead its campaign in the region.

Fury’s previous political interests

This isn’t the first time Fury’s name has been linked to a political campaign. In 2015 he told the BBC he wanted to become MP for Morecambe and intended to stand as an independent MP. “I want to make a change for the better where I live,” Fury said at the time, according to an LBC summary of earlier remarks. “I believe I will succeed because I have an influence on the city’s inhabitants.”

This campaign never came to fruition. Fury, now 37, lived in Morecambe, Lancashire, for about 17 years before moving to the Isle of Man last year, citing privacy and security.

Back to the Ring

Fury returned from a 16-month absence on April 10, taking a unanimous decision over Arslanbek Makhmudov. He then called Anthony Joshua to the ring and reports have since pointed to a Q4 2026 meeting between the two British heavyweights backed by Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine.

Reform UK has not publicly named a candidate for the Makerfield by-election.

Teofimo Lopez doesn’t seem impressed with the growing rumors surrounding a possible fight between Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson.

Ryan said earlier Monday during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take that he believed he could become “the face of boxing,” while Shakur later responded publicly, urging Ryan to continue the fight between the two.

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Last updated: 18/05/2026 at 15:53

Timothy Bradley says he learned everything he needed to know about Terence Crawford in his first sparring session – long before most boxing fans even knew who Crawford was.

Bradley recalled the experience, reflecting on Crawford’s mentality and his ability to handle pressure in any situation, describing a juvenile fighter who arrived all by himself and immediately began picking a world champion.

“Let’s go back to 2011 when I first sparred with him,” Bradley explained to ESPN.

“Get this. He got off the plane, his brother-in-law picked him up, he went to the gym. Don’t go to his hotel, rest, no. You took him to the gym, you got off, his bag was still in the car, I put the hooks on.

“No one with him. Think about it, no one with him.”

“He comes into the ring, says hello, in the corner, alone. I had the whole team around me.”

At that time, Bradley was already a two-time world champion, and Crawford was still years away from becoming one of boxing’s pound-for-pound stars.

“And I’m a two-time world champion, think about it,” Bradley continued.

“Nobody gives him any instructions. He comes in there and tears me to pieces.”

Timothy Bradley on Terence Crawford

Bradley explained that what happened the next day convinced him that Crawford had a mentality that few players have.

“And then what? OK, the next day, fine, we’ll spar again. Completely different fighter. No one in the corner again,” Bradley added.

“This guy can mentally handle anything, he can handle any situation.”

The storyline offers a revealing look at Crawford long before his championships, pound-for-pound rankings and superstar reputation.

According to Bradley, the qualities that define Crawford today were obvious even then.

Everything Bradley described about Crawford back then still sounds familiar.

Crawford walked into the hall of champions himself and acted like he already belonged there.

Crawford’s mentality

History shows that Crawford was always himself and had complete confidence in his ability to support himself.

Even as a juvenile fighter just starting his career, walking into a champion’s gym in unfamiliar surroundings and setting it up for Timothy Bradley says a lot about Crawford’s mentality.

Very few players would put themselves in this situation and believe that this is where they belong.

Years later, with Crawford now considered one of the greatest fighters of his generation, Bradley’s story seems less surprising and more an early warning sign of what boxing would ultimately experience.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.