In a sensational and emotionally charged interview, John Fury, the controversial father of heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, has declared that his relationship with his son is "completely destroyed." The 60-year-old made a series of blistering claims about the former two-time world champion, who is preparing to end his fifth career retirement to face Arslanbek Makhmudov on 11 April.
Father's Scathing Assessment of Son's Career
Speaking to Playbook Boxing, John Fury delivered a bombshell assessment of his 37-year-old son's current abilities. "I think he's past his best," John stated bluntly. "I love my son, but there's too many people patting him on the back and telling him he's Tarzan, when he's not Tarzan. He's been gone, Tyson, since the Deontay Wilder fights."
This criticism comes despite Tyson Fury's legendary performances against Wilder, where he climbed off the canvas twice to secure a draw in 2018, dominated the American in 2020, and survived another knockdown to stop him in 2021.
Concerns Over Upcoming Fight and Training Team
John expressed particular concern about Tyson's upcoming opponent, warning: "Makhmudov, this is a problem. I'm the first one to say it, because all them out there, they don't pay enough attention to details. It's not what I'd have done."
He launched a fierce attack on Tyson's training team, describing them as "the same squad, same bulls***" and claiming his son "can't do the blood-and-guts training anymore, so he's going through the motions with these idiots." John specifically criticised coach Sugarhill Steward, saying: "I felt like strangling Sugar after [the Usyk rematch]. I wanted him out of my corner."
Analysis of Recent Losses to Usyk
The elder Fury referenced Tyson's back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 - the first defeats of his professional career. While John believed Tyson should have won the first fight, he offered a damning assessment of the rematch: "I think he let Usyk do it [win it] in the last round."
"I watched the Usyk fight last night, power weren't there," John continued. "The moves was there, but after six or seven rounds he was fading quick. There's no two-phased attacks, there's nothing, there's no angles; when there is an angle, it's laboured. The legs ain't there."
Irreparable Family Breakdown
Most devastatingly, John revealed the depth of the family rift. "My relationship with Tyson is destroyed," he declared. "Boxing destroyed it completely. No, [it can't be repaired]. It's his own fault."
He explained the emotional toll, saying: "If you can't show your father respect when it matters, then just carry on. I don't need you. He's taken their word over mine, and that's eaten me up more than I can explain."
Financial Independence and Emotional Outburst
John was keen to emphasise his financial independence from his son's success. "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," he stated.
However, he added pointedly: "Whatever he's got, good luck to him, but don't forget who built his story when he was a kid. He didn't build it himself, did he? Me, his father."
At one particularly emotional moment during the interview, John revealed: "I was 30 seconds away from asking for a break there. I haven't really expressed these emotions before, but they're strong and they're there."
Absence from Upcoming Fight
Despite sitting beside Tyson at a press conference for the Makhmudov fight just one month ago - the same event where he stormed around shouting at former champion Carl Froch - John confirmed he will not be attending the bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Independent has approached a representative of Tyson Fury for comment on his father's explosive allegations.
