12 December 2023 , 16:00
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Heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury was facing a fight over an allegedly unpaid £82,000 council bill today.
Cheshire East Council claims Tyson, 35, and his brothers Shane, 32, and John, 39, owe the money in business rates. But at a civil hearing today, Tyson’s dad, also called John, 59, said the case was “ridiculous”. Mr Fury Sr told the court he rented out land next to his home for £600 a month to a firm which used it as a car park for holiday makers flying from the nearby Manchester Airport.
He said he had put his sons on the land registry for the property “some 20 years ago” after "a fight with the wife." But he said neither Tyson, from Morecambe, or his brothers had “anything to do with it”. Wearing a green parka and a brown jumper, Mr Fury said: “I’ve come here today to tell you the boys had nothing to do with it, especially Tyson.”
John Fury arrives at court on Tuesday (PA)He added: “It is ridiculous, when he (Tyson) is paying millions of pounds of tax a year. “He has not lived at that address for 18 years. You can check the council tax in Morecambe.” He continued: “All I have done is rent a piece of land out. It is just an empty yard.” Mr Fury, from Styal, Cheshire, told the court he was dyslexic and had an advisor who handled his affairs.
He added: “I’m a boxing coach. I’m a boxing trainer. I’ve no knowledge of all this. The only trouble I’ve been in, in my life, was criminal. All this technical stuff, it is not my field.” Mr Fury apologised to Chester magistrates’ court for being unable to read court documents presented to him. He said: “I’m sorry, I’m dyslexic.” And he added: “I’m an old fashioned man. I’m semi literate and that is how it is.”
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But district judge John McGarva told him: “You don’t need to be sorry, you would be surprised how many people coming into court have the same issues.” Mr Fury thanked the judge for his “understanding”. Neither Tyson, who is understood to be on holiday with his wife Paris, 33, and their seven children in Saudi Arabia, or his brothers, were at the hearing. The case continues.