John Fury reveals relationship with Tyson is ‘completely destroyed’

John Fury has revealed his relationship with his son Tyson is ‘completely destroyed’ after disagreements over his future in boxing.

Former heavyweight world champion Fury will return to the ring in April to take on Russian giant Arslanbek Makhmudov after breaking the fifth retirement vow of his career.

His dad John has been a vocal and commanding presence in his son’s career since his release from prison in 2015. The 60-year-old has been in the thick of wild press conferences and backstage scraps while by his son’s side, having also accused Tyson’s trainer Sugarhill Steward of being a ‘Judas’ and clashing with his long-time promoter Frank Warren.

But those days now appear to be over with John insisting he is no longer in his son’s life.

‘My relationship with Tyson is destroyed’, Fury Snr told Playbook Boxing. ‘Boxing destroyed it completely. 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. 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.’ 

‘The Gypsy King’ rose to the summit of boxing after knocking out Deontay Wilder in 2020, beating the American again a year later as part of their thrilling trilogy.

But Fury suffered the first defeat of his career in a historic undisputed heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk in May 2024, dropping his WBC title as the Ukrainian unified the division.

Six months later, Usyk beat him again.

Fury returns to the ring next month for a fight he hopes will launch another world title charge and finally set up a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua.

But Fury Snr believes his son’s best days are now firmly behind him.

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. 

‘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. 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.’ 

John Fury blames Tyson’s decline on the men he keeps around him, not convinced they have acted in the best interests of his son.

‘He’s taken their word over mine,’ John says. ‘And that’s eaten me up, more than I can explain.’

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