TYSON FURY walked away from a £10million rematch with Wladimir Klitschko to stick to his morals.

The Gypsy King stunned the world by beating the legend in his own backyard but the start of a dream championship reign turned into a nightmare.

9 Tyson Fury looks in a better mental and physical state Credit: Instagram

9 Tyson Fury ballooned after his title win and the rematch never happened Credit: AFP - Getty

The mega-money rematch never happened and Fury spiralled into a tragic blur of depression, drug abuse and obesity that left fans fearing for his future.

But he insists he is proud of his decision to retire at the top and not kowtow to the businessmen who wanted their pound of flesh following his coronation.

Speaking to the Irish Times after a rare training session in Belfast, Fury said: “I live by loyalty, honour and respect and if you break those barriers with me then we never do business again.

“Many people broke those rules and that's why I walked away from a minimum of £10million in the rematch with Klitschko.

"I told them to shove it where the sun don't shine because I don't lay with dogs and money ain't my God, God is.

"Jesus said: ‘What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?' Nothing.

“I'd rather have friendship, loyalty and family any day. Not many people in the world would because everyone wants to be rich and famous and have the glory and all the pats on the pack and people saying: ‘You're a top bloke'.

"Where are all those hangers-on today? I never had them at the beginning, in the middle or at the end because these size 14 boots were inserted in their rear-end when they came around.

"I don't need anyone to tell me I'm a good boxer, or a generous bloke, or a b******. Whatever they want to say, I already know.

"A lot of people out there need all that; they need 20 bodyguards taking them around everywhere but I ain't about all that.

9 Tyson Fury made beating Wladimir Klitschko look easy Credit: Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

9 In one amazing Dusseldorf night Tyson Fury took over boxing Credit: Twitter

9 But just months after his coronation as heavyweight king Tyson Fury seemed washed-up Credit: Getty Images - Getty

“I'm a man of the people, why do I need protecting for the people if I fight for the people? Don't I want to be embraced by them?

"People want a champion they can relate to, someone they can find in the local pub having a drink, in the shopping centre or the local park with his wife and kids.

"I achieved everything and then people started moving the goalposts, saying ‘Do this, do that' and I didn't want to do it.

"I became only the second heavyweight champion in history to retire unbeaten behind Rocky Marciano.

“There's a lot of politics involved with me because I tell the truth and people don't like to hear the truth, they like to be lied to.

"I'm a straight person, I say it as it is. Some people love it and some people hate it."

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IBF and WBA champ Anthony Joshua needs to beat Fury to become the lineal king and cement his place at the top of heavyweight boxing.

Without that scalp there will always be a doubt over his reign and AJ is ready and waiting to face the 6ft 9in star if he ever gets back into shape.

But - despite stepping back in the ring for a session in Ireland – the 29 year old admits he is still miles off another professional bout as he remains up to five stone overweight.

There is also a seed in Fury’s mind that his legacy might already be secured and even a successful return might not bring him the rewards he chased and resented at the start of his career.

He said: “That was my first session in a long time. I've not hit the pads in a minimum of six months.

"But you never lose your power or speed, especially when you're 29. I'm not 49, so the speed is still there.

"I thought I'd come to Belfast's fair city, where the girls are so pretty to do my first training session back.

9 Tyson Fury looked lean and mean early on in his boxing career

9 Tyson Fury never allowed Wladimir Klitschko to get going

9 Tyson Fury poses with the WBA WBO IBF and IBO Heavyweight Championship belts

9 Tyson Fury lands a punch on former champion, Wladimir Klitschko

"I haven't decided I am coming back yet, I'm just doing a bit of training to get a bit of fat off. Well, five stone, so more than a bit, a lot.

"I achieved the utmost in boxing.

“I was undisputed heavyweight champion and Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year, so you can't really do any better than that.

“Oh yeah, and I beat an 11-year reigning world champion with 25 title defences when people said I had no prayer of doing it. So if that ain't enough in boxing, nothing is ever going to be enough.”

