Tyson Fury returns to US after travel ban, appears at White House

Tyson Fury stepped back onto American soil for the first time in more than five years, appearing at UFC Freedom 250 and the White House on June 14 in what The Ring's Declan Taylor calls another milestone in the heavyweight's improbable career.

Fury had not fought in the United States since stopping Deontay Wilder in their trilogy bout at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena on October 9, 2021. According to Taylor's column, widespread reports claimed the British heavyweight was placed on a travel ban due to alleged links with former adviser Daniel Kinahan. The Sun previously reported that Fury was twice blocked from boarding transatlantic flights because of the restriction.

From travel ban to White House lawn

On Sunday, the two-time world champion not only cleared US immigration but attended a White House event where he was photographed shaking hands with President Donald Trump alongside attendees including Mark Zuckerberg and UFC president Dana White. "Just set foot on US soil," Fury posted on social media, per The Ring. "It has been five and a half years since I knocked out that big bum dosser Wilder and I'm back. The smell of freedom is in the air. Big shout out Turki Alalshikh for making this happen."

Hours after the White House appearance, Fury posted a photo with Saudi boxing adviser Alalshikh and captioned it "@Turki the promoter of the GK till I retire," further cementing the relationship that reportedly facilitated his US return. Taylor's column noted that Fury's presence at the event, while producing no immediate fight announcement, underscored his evolution from Britain's traveller community to one of boxing's most recognized figures.

Fury's journey to the top included an upset points win over Wladimir Klitschko in Germany in November 2015, followed by a nearly three-year absence battling depression and substance abuse. His 2019 comeback led to a reported $100 million multi-fight deal with ESPN, unheard of for British heavyweights at the time. No date has been set for his next fight.

Source: ringmagazine.com