How do you take care of one of the most charismatic and outspoken figures in sports? Ask Melissa Takimoglu.
The 42-year-old navigates the circus-like world of professional boxing and helps cultivate Tyson Fury's public image.
The PR guru – who works for Top Rank and works with the team at Queensberry to manage the PR and media of Fury's fight week – has been present at some of the biggest boxing events in history.
She is regularly seen organizing PR opportunities, coordinating press conferences, arranging interviews and arranging post-fight press activities for Fury, Josh Taylor, Mikaela Mayer and the rest of the Top Rank team.
She's gone from hosting garage DJ events and running her own cleaning company to becoming one of the most vocal and headline-grabbing athletes.
“I worked nights and worked for a record company called Freedom Records in Watford. Kudos, Watford! Then I worked with MCs, DJ Ez and a lot of big names,” Takimoglu tells Mail Sport in an exclusive interview.
Melissa Takimoglu has been alongside Tyson Fury in some of his biggest fights
Takimoglu has played a crucial role in building and maintaining the Gypsy King's profile
“From then on I started doing club nights and garage music. Then there was this phase where there were a lot of shootings and everything was going very badly, so they canceled everything. I thought, what do I do now? So I started a cleaning company.
“My parents have always been very big entrepreneurs and we grew up watching them start companies and work around the world.” So it's a natural thing to absorb.
“I started thinking about what I could do without it costing too much money to start up and decided to start a cleaning company.” All I needed was Henry the Hoover. Literally all I need is a Henry the Hoover and a bucket with all the gear in it.
“I got a few posters and got a few clients.” It all started from there and, holy crap, the company ran for 15 years. It took a long time, but I always knew I wasn’t doing anything I loved.”
Takimoglu's romance with boxing was an unforeseen turn in her professional career. Initially disinterested, she found herself unexpectedly drawn to the sport after an unforgettable night.
“I fell in love with boxing because I was taken to York Hall and told, ‘Come in, watch a match and see how you feel. If you like it, go ahead.” So I went to York Hall, looked at the ceiling and saw the silhouette of the fighter. Back then I just fell in love with the sport. It was so poetic. Then the urge to sell tickets appealed to me,” she says.
Takimoglu's organic connection to the sport transformed her career path and marked the beginning of her influential role in shaping some of the most exciting narratives surrounding boxing's dynamic personalities.
“I started in popular sports. I was down at Miguel's boxing gym in Brixton, meeting some boxers and asking them if they needed a publicist. You were like a publicist! So I had to explain it to them,” says the director of Melt PR – a leading independent sports media and PR company.
“I told them, you know, a PR person, a publicist. Someone who can help you sell tickets. But yes, I got involved with it. They welcomed me very warmly – especially Isaac Dogboe.
Her job title is UK Media Relations for Bob Arums (pictured right) Top Rank
“He was the one who later introduced me to Top Rank after he had performed at York Hall with Steve Goodwin and Tommy Dove.” He said, “Why don't you come over and be my publicist?” I wasn't sure if I wanted to, but I went and that was it. The rest is history. Now here I am, 10 years later.'
And what a decade it was. Takimoglu works closely with big names like Taylor and Mayer. But the greatest of all is Fury.
Trust is of the utmost importance to Fury. Only those who show loyalty, authenticity and a real commitment to the Gypsy King's well-being can break through his protective barriers.
Takimoglu was one of the few who found access to his inner circle. Her professionalism and strategic leadership have enabled Fury to navigate the complexities of fame without compromising his fight week preparations.
It was their mental health awareness that laid the foundation for their relationship. Following AJ Carter's loss to Kamil Sokolowski in 2017, Takimoglu struggled with her mental health.
In an interview with Square Mile, Takimoglu said: “He woke up two weeks after the fight and didn't recognize me. “I had the most horrible, horrible experience over the next few weeks. I lost everything. It was the most traumatic thing that has ever happened to me. I've never been this close to saying it is.
Fury has also been open about his own mental health struggles – talking about how he turned to alcohol and drugs after his win over Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015.
The couple developed a mutual understanding and this helped build a professional relationship based on mutual respect.
“It took a long time to gain that trust, but I think me and him have always connected.” When we first met, I told him the story about my ex [AJ Carter] when something bad had happened during his fight and he [Fury] was there by chance,” she tells Mail Sport.
“It was a really difficult time for me as he lost a really bad fight. “I didn't know Tyson was in that fight. That's how we met. I remember looking up at Tyson and saying, “Hello, I’m Melissa from Top Rank,” and he was absolutely huge.
“From there we started talking about how we all got into boxing and we immediately connected on the topic of mental health.” Then he wrote his book and signed a deal with ESPN – which I think is what it was Best thing he ever did because when he went there the amount of PR he was shown and the amount of money he spent promoting it was unbelievable.”
Takimoglu was pictured with Mike Tyson at the Battle of the Baddest event last year
Takimoglu is a director of Melt PR – a leading independent sports media and PR company
It wasn't long before Takimoglu began working closely with Fury. Her transparent communication and understanding of Fury's needs allowed her relationship with the Gypsy King and his family to blossom.
“Every show he did, I would come and say, “Hello, I’m ready to work!” There would be him, his brothers, his father, the whole gang. People don't understand this, there are about 30 of them, including the coach, the manager and others. But it was incredible,” she continues.
“They just listened and followed my lead.” If I said it was left, then it was left. If I said it would be five minutes, then it was five minutes. Don't get me wrong, the brothers in the family were very strict in the beginning. It was not easy for them to trust people. But there was always that respect from Tyson. Even now he is so respectful.
“Apart from events, I don't speak to him.” It's not like we have that kind of relationship. Paris [Fury’s wife] is also incredible. She really appreciates my work and what I do for Tyson.
“After every event, Tyson will always say a few words.” Something like, “Mel, great job. You've worked really hard and I appreciate it.” Just that little sentence would make me say, OK, I did a good job.
“Every time I showed up I wondered, would he know me? Will he recognize me? But he always asks himself: “Where is Mel?” Where is she?” I think he knows his team now. They're the same people. It's the same team, perhaps minus his coach.
“So now he knows who he can trust.” Which I think is really important because it must be a terrible situation when someone like him doesn't know who he can trust, because there are people from all walks of life.
“I'm very lucky but I also know I deserve it because I work hard and make sure I do a good job. “It's really close to my heart and I know how Tyson likes things, that's why I make sure they are done well.”
The close connection is noticeable. Fury even ran barefoot through a hotel lobby, swinging his shoes in the air to encourage Takimoglu to take off her high heels after noticing she was limping in pain.
Takimoglu says Fury is the same behind closed doors as he is in front of the camera
Takimoglu recalled the event in a previous interview, saying: “We were in Vegas, you could see I was limping, I was really limping.” I tried to hide the pain in my feet but Tyson stopped me. He told me to take off my shoes and when I said no because everyone was looking at me, he took off his shoes and picked them up.
“And when the heavyweight champ says take them off, you have to do it!” “We were laughing out loud as we walked and I couldn't believe I was walking barefoot through the MGM Grand with the heavyweight champ and all of us stared at me.”
Fury is known for his captivating and flamboyant presence in the spotlight, but many wonder what he looks like off camera. Boxing fans around the world want to know whether the exuberant showman will endure or whether a more reserved, private side will emerge.
What is he like behind closed doors? What is he like when the cameras aren't rolling? What is he like when he's sitting in his dressing room waiting to go to the ring?
“I'll take you one step further and take you to the locker room next time.” You can sit in the corner and see for yourself. “It’s exactly the same,” says Takimoglu.
“There is no dial-up, there is dial-down.” It’s the same thing. You know, I think it's so amazing that he comes back from a crazy event and says, “Wow, they were all there for me.” It still gets to him. It really does.
Takimoglu joked that she was surprised that she had a fiancé considering how busy she was with work
“He comes out of a press conference and says, ‘Do you think that was OK?’ He’s not arrogant like people might think. He's not like that. He is really a great person. He is incredibly smart. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it. He is exactly who he is.
“People seem to think it was Top Rank or Queensberry (Fury's promoters) or me and Matt Rich (who represents him) that did this.” That ESPN did that? No, Tyson Fury is where he is because of Tyson Fury. “He’s very intelligent, he’s very smart, he knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Takimoglu has become a major player in the world of boxing through her work with Fury and the rest of the Top Rank team. She is a disruptive force in a male-dominated industry. Her strategic acumen, resilience and deep knowledge of the sport have set her apart in the traditionally male sphere.
Her ability to command respect, coupled with a keen eye for opportunity, not only enhances Top Rank's success in the UK, but also sets an inspiring precedent for women in the world of boxing.
But it wasn't easy. She “cried, screamed, laughed” in the car on the way home from work.
“When I walked into the room, I was ignored because you're just a woman.” But no, I'm actually the publicist. I'm actually the PR. “I represent Top Rank here,” she says.
“You know what, I'd say I've still gotten that treatment up until now.” When I go into a new environment, I can't assume that everyone knows me, so even now I still get it. Especially if you work in other areas.
“To be fair, Tyson and Mikaela both stood up for me. They would both say, “That’s my publicist. That’s my PR.’ They would tell them to talk to me. I remember a few times Tyson lunged at a cameraman or someone who was trying to push me out of the way. He said, “Hey! She is with me. Don't push them out of the way. She's the best PR in the world.” He screamed that in a room full of people and I thought, “Oh my God.”
Takimoglu uses her success as a publicist to promote women's boxing
“Even stupid things like, ‘Oh, you were in the picture.’ What if I was in the picture? There were so many stories. But as women boxers, we're tired of talking about it. We're so tired of talking about it, but it's true.
“Luckily I have tough skin.” I have a great support system at home. But believe me, I got in the car and cried, screamed and laughed the whole way home. I thought I couldn't do this anymore.
“Still, I'm lucky because Top Rank let me do what I want. “They trust me, they believe in me, they allowed me to take care of people like Tyson and all the other great stars we have . You just have to keep going. “You have to show the public that you can be successful.”
Takimoglu recognizes the importance of women's boxing. She played a crucial role in Mayer's career – helping her make a name for herself in the UK despite being from the US.
However, it was more difficult than Takimoglu expected. “It was like I had just started over. I thought it would be easy. “Hey, it’s Melissa from Top Rank” Of course you’ll say yes to an interview with one of my fighters. NO! “It wasn’t like that at all,” she says.
“I had to come up with ideas and go back to basics.” I had to come up with ideas. That's how naive I was, I thought I could just get her the recognition she deserved.
“Everyone knows that Mikaela and I are very close. She will come to my wedding. She suffered so much along the way and had so many obstacles in her path, and I had my own path outside the ring. That’s where me and her connect.”
Mayer isn't the only person Takimoglu makes time for outside of work. She magically inserts personal escapades into her life, as if free time were just another item on her to-do list. However, the publicist admits that she would benefit from a little more balance in her life.
“First of all, I'm surprised that I have a fiancé.” “I don't know how I did it and how he wants to be with me while my phone keeps ringing,” she admits.
“Honestly, when we first met, my laptop was always on the dining room table in the restaurant. Then I thought, maybe I'm taking this too far.
Takimoglu works closely with other Top Rank stars including Josh Taylor (pictured above).
Takimoglu has endured condescension throughout her career because she is a woman – but she has fought through it and established herself as a force in the sport
“Look, it's business, sorry.” It's about paying the bills!
“No, he's incredible, he's so understanding.” That goes for my friends too. I'll talk to them and say, “Yeah, OK” while I'm working on a press release. It never ends.
“You know what? After everything I've been through in my life and history, I try not to complain because I really shouldn't be here. That's why me and Tyson get along so well. There have been two times in my life when I was close to breaking up.
“For a very strong person, it was very difficult for me to accept that.” When you hit rock bottom and are given such an opportunity to do what you love to do, what if the phone keeps ringing?
“Do I need to work on my balance? Absolutely. But I think that applies to everyone in every position. I'm just grateful that the phone is still ringing and I'm still working and doing what I love.
“Of course it’s about balance and having the right people around you, but honestly if the phone stopped ringing I’d probably miss it.”