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Boxing

From Paris, With Love: Can Mrs. Fury change the tide in Riyadh?

From Paris, With Love: Can Mrs. Fury change the tide in Riyadh?DAZN

There was an absent face at Tyson Fury's first bout with Oleksandr Usyk back in May - that of his wife Paris, conspicuously absent at ringside for her husband's historic fight.

The reasons were unclear until the boxer's revelation this past October she had suffered a miscarriage on the eve of the fight - a family tragedy impossible to fathom for many.

Fury was adamant that it had nothing to do with his performance on the night, with the actual news not confirmed to him until he had long since left the ring with a first career loss.

But as the "Gypsy King" prepares to face off with Usyk for a second time this weekend, there can be no disputing the fact that his spouse remains an essential part of the puzzle.

Ahead of Riyadh Season's Reignited, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, DAZN News takes a look at Mrs. Fury, what she brings to her husband - and how she could change the tide this time.

Who is Paris Fury?

Born Paris Mulroy in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Fury has been a constant companion to her husband throughout his late amateur tenure and then professional career in the ring.

They initially met when she was 15, and began dating a year later, before she married him in 2008 as a teenager, going on to raise a family of seven children in Morecambe.

Tyson and Paris FuryRichard Pelham/Getty Images

Alongside other members of the Fury family, such as father John, Paris has been a regular presence at her husband's fights and among his biggest cheerleaders on fight night.

Indeed, she has been the centre of attention for many of the star's celebrations, such as him serenading her with the classic Aerosmith power ballad I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.

How does her presence affect Tyson Fury?

Compared with the litany of other influences on her husband's career, Fury offers effectively the greatest checks on his mental welfare and well-being, helping to focus his plans.

Her absence, coupled with no concrete explanation beyond illness, ahead of his first fight with Usyk, proved to be a significant distraction, even if the star denies it led to his loss.

Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren, who promotes the "Gypsy King", suggested that his fighter was emotionally raw by the unexpected non-arrival of his spouse in May.

"I could really feel her absence," he noted to BBC Sport this week. "You can usually feel her influence in the dressing room. "But I'm quite sure Paris will be there for the rematch."

Usyk v Fury competition

Will Paris Fury be in Riyadh this time?

Warren seems convinced that Fury will be there for her husband, who also appears set to have his father John in his corner despite the controversy he caused last time around.

At the very least, Paris will offer a more readily apparent influence of calm fortitude than her father-in-law, and hopes are high that she can have what some dub the "Paris effect".

She has been separated from Fury for the past three months while he has undertaken a training camp in Malta, and many believe their reunion can be a psychological boost.

Moses Itauma, set to fight lower down the bill, has been sparring with the star in the build-up, and says that he is "definitely more on it" for the rematch this time around.

"I do feel like he's more on the ball," he added to BBC Sport. "Tyson may not show it in public but there's been a switch in his mentality which could win him the rematch."

The world will have its answer soon enough. But if Paris Fury can help swing Tyson Fury back to the top of the three, expect Aerosmith to get their royalties in the post soon after.

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV

Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Buy now

The Oleksandr Usyk/Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US. For prices in your region click here.

A PPV event is a single one-off payment, with no subscription requirement or extra costs. Buying the Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN brings great benefits.

This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with True Geordie or ShowBizz; the best broadcast team including Kate Scott, Ade Oladipo, Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Eddie Hearn; and commentary in multiple languages.

The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform.

The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.

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