In the worlds of boxing and MMA, bigger fighters are often seen as the pinnacle of the sport, despite critics pointing out that “Size is not the only determining factor.” But for Manchester natives, Tyson Fury and Tom Aspinall, their appearances are as unnerving as their elite skills. Towering at 6’9″ and 6’5″, respectively, these athletes command attention the moment they enter the ring, overwhelming opponents with their sheer power and formidable presence.

Despite their dominance in the ring, the striking resemblance between the two has ignited a wave of social media speculation. A recently circulated photo of Tyson’s father, John Fury, alongside Tom Aspinall, went viral, drawing attention to the uncanny similarity between Aspinall and a younger John Fury. The resemblance, combined with their shared hometown, has captured the imagination of fight fans, prompting the question: “Is Tom Aspinall related to Tyson Fury?” Here’s what you need to know.

Are Tyson Fury and Tom Aspinall Family or Just Friends?

In his younger years, John Fury gained a reputation not just for his professional career but also for his hot-headed persona, which drew him into major controversies. Despite these challenges, Fury navigated the legal system and remained a dominant presence in his sons’ lives. He has been married twice: his first wife, Amber, is the mother of his older sons, Shane and Tyson Fury, while his second wife, Chantal, is the mother of his younger sons, Tommy and Roman. These details have fueled speculation about whether John might have another child.

The rumors resurfaced this week when Tom Aspinall joined KYO Sports ahead of his UFC 321 title bout. When reporters asked him, “Who is your real father? Fans are saying online that you look a lot like John Fury. You’re from the same town. You look more like him than any of his other kids.” It was tongue-in-cheek, but the striking resemblance between Aspinall and a young John Fury is so uncanny that it would make even the most staunch critic wonder. But the short answer is: “No,” confirmed by Tom’s father, Andy Aspinall, who stated that a DNA test “has been done,” when asked the same question.

Despite the striking height comparisons — Andy Aspinall at 5’9″, Tom at 6’5,” and John Fury at 6’3″ — Andy confirmed that John Fury had never met his wife. Beyond John Fury, however, Tom Aspinall’s family history reveals closer ties with John Fury’s brother, Peter Fury.

How did Tom Aspinall train with Tyson and Peter Fury?

The Aspinall and Fury families share a long-standing connection, which Tom Aspinall has acknowledged. He noted that Tyson Fury supported him in his career, not just as a sparring partner, “but with mental aspects.” Early in his regional circuit career, Tom struggled to find sparring partners who matched his height and weight. Renowned coach Peter Fury, Tyson’s uncle, stepped in to help Aspinall refine his boxing skills, providing his students — including ‘The Gypsy King’ — for sparring. This guidance is a key reason Aspinall has the speed and technical brilliance of an English boxer.

Reflecting on that time, Tom Aspinall revealed, “And I was struggling for sparring even at the time. I couldn’t find any sparring partners. My dad’s friends with Peter Fury. I started going down to the boxing gym to spar with Tyson Fury and some other fighters down there.” During that period, Aspinall briefly tried his hand at boxing, but alleged “corruption” derailed his path. Still, that short stint helped forge a lifelong friendship between Tom Aspinall and Tyson Fury.

What Tyson Fury Says About Tom Aspinall Beating Jon Jones

A potential heavyweight showdown between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones captured the imagination of fight fans for years. The rivalry between the two simmered, with Aspinall holding the interim belt since November 2023. However, the then-undisputed heavyweight champion repeatedly delayed the matchup, and upon his return, Jones chose to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 last year instead of defending against Aspinall.

Despite UFC President Dana White confirming that the fight would “100% happen,” the bout didn’t end up happening, and many fans accused Jones of “ducking” the Briton to protect his undefeated record. Others maintained that Jones could still defeat Aspinall. Amid the debate, Tyson Fury offered his perspective, having extensively trained with the current heavyweight champ and having witnessed his boxing skills firsthand. The year before last, Tom Aspinall even helped Fury prepare for his crossover bout against Francis Ngannou.

Speaking candidly, ‘The Gypsy King’ said: “It’s a tough one. Jon Jones is the Tyson Fury of boxing. People are unable to beat him. Very tough one,” Fury said. “Even though Tom Aspinall’s a mate, Jon Jones is probably considered the greatest of all time in MMA, so I don’t know. It’s probably like, can anyone beat Wladimir Klitschko before Tyson Fury beat him? Probably not, but then Tyson Fury beat him. So if anyone can beat Jon Jones, it’ll be Tom Aspinall. Nobody else.”

After months of speculation, Jon Jones vacated his title and retired from MMA in June, paving the way for Tom Aspinall to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion. The Briton is now set to make his first undisputed title defense this week at UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane. Will Aspinall rise to the occasion and cement his legacy? Share your thoughts below.