Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder: Brit abstaining from sex for three months ahead of WBC title fight

Carl Frampton, Rocky and the Mexican football team have also abstained before a big event

Tyson Fury has revealed he is abstaining from sex ahead of his WBC heavyweight title fight against hard-hitting American Deontay Wilder on 1 December.

The former world champion is bidding for his first title since his return to the ring following an 18-month break from boxing and is taking his preparation very seriously.

After secluding himself in an high-altitude training base at Big Bear mountain in California, Fury has returned to Los Angeles as he begins his final preparations to face Wilder, but will not be letting himself get distracted with his wife Paris.

He confirmed that there has been “no sex for 12 weeks” and is not the first boxer or sportsperson to take up celibacy before a big event. Carl Froch abstained for three months before beating George Groves in 2014 and the Mexican football team were banned from having sex in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup.

“It is rare that you have two giants of 6ft 9in in my case and Wilder at 6ft 7in getting ready to punch each other in the face,” said Fury.

“At some point we are going to hit each other but I am blessed with this sixth sense for seeing danger coming.

“I don’t want anything to interfere with that between men with our power there is always the danger of brain damage.

“So no, there has been no sex for 12 weeks.”

In Rocky, Mickey, the trainer, said that “Women weaken legs” and Raging Bull shows Jake LaMotta pouring ice down his trousers to quash his urges shortly before a fight.

Although, not every coach and sports team are against sex before a big event. Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal told reporters that he liked his players “horny.

Fury is now training with Freddy Roach, who worked with eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao for 20 years, at his Wild Card set up in Hollywood.

"He's given us good pointers. He can give us some good experience. Whatever Freddie wants to do he will do. He's his own man," said Fury.

"It is always good to have experience and a wise head in your corner and it will be to my advantage."