Two-time heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has been named as the latest sponsor of Morecambe FC.
The Gypsy King’s brand will appear on the Sky Bet League One club’s home and away playing shorts over the forthcoming 2022/23 season.
Additionally, the Shrimps have also stated that a later announcement confirming an extension of the partnership will be made ‘at a later date’.
“We have a great relationship with Tyson and are proud to wear his Gypsy King brand on the first-team shorts for the forthcoming campaign,” said Martin Thomas, Morecambe FC Head of Commercial.
“Tyson is a fantastic ambassador for the Morecambe area and it’s fantastic to have him onboard. Tyson is one of the most recognisable names in the world of sport, and will bring worldwide recognition to the club.
“He will join an ever-growing list of commercial partners, alongside both local and national brands as well as local businesses the club have signed in recent seasons. We now have a huge reach across the globe, with further presence on a worldwide stage due to this partnership.”
Although born and raised in Manchester and growing up a supporter of Manchester United, Fury has been a resident of Morcombe for many years – also owning a home in Las Vegas – and has often been seen training in the area.
The heavyweight remarked: “I love the Morecambe area and it is a pleasure to be able to support my local club.”
Fury announced his retirement from professional boxing after defeating Dillian Whyte on 23 April of this year, defending his WBC world title and securing his 32nd win in 33 fights in the process – the only blemish on his record being the controversial draw from the the first bout of his now-iconic Trilogy with Deontay Wilder back in 2018.
However, Fury’s claims of retirement have not been taken to heart by many boxing fans and commentators, and even his own father John Fury has hinted at the possibility of his son returning to the ring, pointing to a potential unification fight with either Anthony Joshua or Oleksandyr Usyk as maybe too irresistible for his son to turn down.
From a commercial perspective, Fury’s career has been just as eventful as his in-ring history, remaining one of the few major contenders to have not signed up with DAZN – instead, Fury was a long-time partner of ESPN and BT Sport.
The fighter has also publicly stated that he will refuse – and has refused – any sponsorship deals with products such as alcohol, CBD oils or gambling, citing mental health impacts and his own personal struggles, although Betfred did sponsor his second clash with Wilder in 2020.
