Tyson Fury Reveals Boxing Comeback Caused Family Rift with Father John
In an exclusive and candid interview, heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has opened up about the severe breakdown in his relationship with his father, John Fury. The Gypsy King has revealed that his latest return to the sport is the primary catalyst for their falling out, with his father expressing strong disapproval of his continued boxing career.
Father's Desire for Retirement Since 2020
Tyson Fury explained that his father has wanted him to retire from boxing ever since his victory over Deontay Wilder in February 2020, which marked the second part of their epic trilogy. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Fury stated, "He's not happy. He wanted me to retire in 2020 after I beat Deontay Wilder." The boxer acknowledged his father's concerns, suggesting that any parent would be worried about their child continuing in a dangerous sport from childhood into adulthood.
"He's just not happy, he does not want me to box," Fury continued. "I suppose any parent wouldn't want their kid to continue to do something they've done from being a little kid all the way to being an adult at the end of their sporting age. I think he's concerned. When it's your kids, when it's your close relatives or whatever, I think you feel very concerned for the individual."
Emotional Father Speaks Out
In a separate exclusive interview with Daily Mail Sport, John Fury was emotional when describing the complete destruction of his relationship with his son. "My relationship with Tyson is destroyed. Boxing destroyed it completely," he stated emphatically. The elder Fury insisted that financial motives played no part in their rift, declaring, "I'll say it on camera: I've never taken £10 off him in my life and I never will. I don't want Tyson's money and I don't need Tyson's money."
John Fury expressed concern about his son's physical condition, particularly following the brutal trilogy with Deontay Wilder. "I think he's past his best. I'm a no-filter kind of guy - I say it how I see it. I love him, but there are too many people patting him on the back and telling him things that aren't true, building him up like he's invincible. He's not and he hasn't been for a while."
Upcoming Fight and Family Absence
Tyson Fury is preparing for his heavyweight bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking his first fight since his December 2024 loss to Oleksandr Usyk. When asked about the possibility of his father attending this weekend's bout, the 37-year-old boxer expressed little optimism.
"He might do, he might do, he might do. But he didn't come to the Usyk II fight so I'm not holding my breath," Fury said. "My dad will do what my dad will do, he's his own man and there's nothing I can do about it. If he turns up, great and if he doesn't, also great."
Father's Concerns About Physical Toll
John Fury elaborated on his concerns about the physical toll boxing has taken on his son, particularly referencing the Wilder fights. "Tyson has been gone since the Deontay Wilder fights, they finished him. Wilder completely done him. He's not got a leg underneath him. He's took a lot away from Tyson," he explained.
The elder Fury continued with his assessment: "Makhmudov is a problem for Tyson. I am the first one to say it. Listen, I understand now that Tyson is testing himself. But, I can tell you now, his legs aren't there anymore. I understand the only way he will believe that and see that is when the first bell rings."
He reflected on the psychological and physical demands of the sport, stating, "Tyson was a formidable man, but when you fight one of the hardest punchers in boxing history three times, it takes something out of you that you never get back. You can't refill that tank to what it once was. And every shot he took matters."
John Fury concluded with a poignant observation about his son's last fight: "Don't forget, in the last fight he went down four times - huge, heavy punches. He fought his heart out, went to the absolute limit, and gave everything he had to get that knockout. But when he got it, he had nothing left afterwards. He laid it all on the line. He even said himself - after everything - that he was prepared to die in there if it came to it. That's the kind of mentality he had: willing to risk everything in the ring."
