John Fury, father and former trainer of British heavyweight Tyson Fury, stated during an appearance on Playbook Boxing that his relationship with his son is "destroyed". The comments contrast with John's earlier role as mentor during Tyson's early career and preparation for the trilogy of fights against American Deontay Wilder from 2018 to 2021.

John attributed the rift to Tyson's decisions to face Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk twice, bouts he said he urged his son to decline. Tyson Fury, a former lineal and unified heavyweight champion, lost the first encounter by split decision on 18 May 2024 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[1] The scorecards read 115-112 Fury, 114-113 Usyk and 113-114 Usyk.

The rematch took place on 21 December 2024, also in Riyadh, where Usyk won by unanimous decision with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 118-110.[2]

John Fury recalled pleading with Tyson ahead of the initial Usyk fight, after his son suffered a cut in training camp 10 days prior, shortening preparation time. "I begged and prayed with him before the first fight. He'd already been through a full training camp, and then he got cut in the last week," John said.[3]

John also criticised Tyson's trainer SugarHill Steward, an American coach who joined the team ahead of the 2021 Wilder rematch. "I felt like strangling Sugar afterwards," John said, adding Steward was "no Emanuel Steward" and "just a gym sweeper". Similar criticism followed the first Usyk defeat, when John said in the ring: "What is Sugar doing? He's got to go."[4][5]

John Fury stated that Tyson, 36, is "past his best" and influenced by those building him up unduly. Tyson Fury has indicated plans for a return to boxing following the Usyk rematch.

Sources

1. ESPN
   Article title: Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years
   Publication date: 19 May 2024
   https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/40124323/oleksandr-usyk-defeats-tyson-fury-split-decision
2. ESPN
   Article title: Oleksandr Usyk beats Tyson Fury again to retain heavyweight titles in rematch
   Publication date: 22 December 2024
   https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/42838091/oleksandr-usyk-again-denies-tyson-fury-heavyweight-rematch
3. Mirror
   Article title: Tyson Fury cut explained as John Fury begged Gypsy King not to fight Oleksandr Usyk
   Publication date: 19 May 2024
   https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/tyson-fury-cut-oleksandr-usyk-33049999
4. Mirror
   Article title: John Fury in tears and wants to 'strangle' Tyson's trainer after Oleksandr Usyk defeat
   Publication date: 19 May 2024
   https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/john-fury-wants-strangle-tyson-33050629
5. BBC Sport
   Article title: Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk: John Fury in tears after son's defeat
   Publication date: 19 May 2024
   https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/articles/c4gr0y1j5gjo