Fury’s father was left bloodied after a fight with a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s team before in Saudi Arabia

13 May 2024 , 16:59
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Fury’s father was left bloodied after a fight with a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s team before in Saudi Arabia
Fury’s father was left bloodied after a fight with a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s team before in Saudi Arabia

Tyson Fury’s father John came off the worst of a violent confrontation with a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s camp as the rival world heavyweight champions worked through a long media day here.

Tempers flared as the two teams crossed paths in the lobby of the palatial Riyadh Hilton Hotel at the first event of a week which will culminate in the Gypsy King or the Ukrainian war hero being crowned as the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

Fury Snr became embroiled as members of Usyk’s camp repeatedly roared their man’s name at Fury’s entourage. Suddenly he turned on the smallest and likely the youngest provocateur and headbuttted him.

Big John stepped back with blood flowing from his forehead.

Fortunately the rest of the angry crowd showed restraint.

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John Fury (pictured) was left bloodied after an altercation with a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s team

Video footage caught a clash of heads between the twoBlood was left sheeting down Fury’s head

 Video footage caught a clash of heads between the two before blood was left sheeting down Fury’s head

His son missed the ugly action as he was giving an interview in a side room.

When he was told Tyson said: ’It is what it is. Not interested. Doesn’t affect anything. I’ve seen a lot worse.’

It is unclear as yet whether the Saudi Arabian police, who are famously severe, will take such a relaxed view of the actions of a man who served three years in prison for assault in England.

Fury Snr has only recently been re-admitted to his son’s training camp.

Shortly before this drama unfolded the Gypsy King’s would-be domestic nemesis Anthony Joshua arrived here to be at ringside on Saturday.

Fury warned though: ’If AJ’s thinking he wants to fight me for the titles he’ll have to wait. Usyk and I are contracted for a rematch in September whoever wins.

’With all the money available to us for these two fights here, why would I turn down double bubble.

’Maybe treble bubble next year at Wembley if Joshua doesn’t get beat before then.’

Fury Snr continued to chant ’Fury!’ before shaking hands with a member of Usyk’s team and making peace

After his two championship defeats by Usyk, Joshua is expected to return to the ring - at Wembley - in the autumn.

Fury was more concerned about the weekend death of London’s 28-year-old late starter in boxing Sherif Lawal who was stopped in the fourth round of his first pro fight at a show in Harrow.

Fury said ’Rest in peace. poor fella. We all know the dangers of getting in the ring. The dangers of having our brains knocked out.

’We’re not in there to tickle each other to death. We are there to do serious damage to each other. It’s what we’re paid for.

’I’ve known the risks all my life. You know that if it’s your time to die it’s destiny.’

 

Sophia Martinez

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