Tyson Fury says athletes ‘deserve a million times more’ for the sacrifices they make

Fury was talking on one of his Instagram posts while going for a winter run

Tyson Fury says athletes deserve “a million times more” because of the sacrifices they make for their sport.

Fury was talking on one of his Instagram posts while going for a winter run.

The British heavyweight boxer is gearing up for a potential mega-fight with Anthony Joshua later this year, although he is expected to fight once more before the big showdown.

“A little bit of behind the scenes,' Fury said. "People only see the glitz and the glamour of boxing on the night and all the entertainment.

"But they don't see the hard work which goes in. They don't see the running in the rain, running in the snow and the cold.

"They don't see all the long nights and early mornings, on your own. It's just all a bit of a mirage. Any boxer, whatever they get, any athlete, they deserve a million times more. Because, nobody knows, apart from other athletes, the work, the sacrifice, the dedication that goes in over the years.

"From being 11 to 12 years old, I've been doing the same stuff day in, day out, day in, day out. Rain, sun, hail, snow - work. So, remember, never disrespect athletes because you don't know what it takes to do it.”

Joshua recently said he will could retire within five years and that he is fighting on only for his mental wellbeing.

“A lot of the great champions are continuing, and continuing. I ain't boxing for money, I ain't boxing for fame, I ain't boxing for a belt. I'm boxing because it keeps me mentally happy and I like to do it,” Joshua said.

“Nothing to prove to anybody. Not one thing to prove at all, but I box now, because I love boxing and I've been doing it all my life. Why walk away when I'm still only young?

“Hopefully I box until I have a good sit down with all the team and we all decide it's time to walk away, while I'm on top, and then sail away into the sunset."