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Boxer Tyson Fury and his father don’t appear to have a close — or even friendly — relationship, at least according to the elder Fury’s recent public comments.
“My relationship with Tyson is ruined,” John said during an appearance on Playbook Boxing. The claim marks a sharp contrast to the time when John acted as a mentor to his son.
John said the rift between father and son stems from Tyson’s decision to fight Oleksandr Usyk twice. He also cited Tyson’s setback against Deontay Wilder after urging him to reject those fights.
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John Fury and Tyson Fury react during a press conference ahead of the Tyson Fury-Francis Ngannou boxing match at Boulevard Hall on October 26, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“I begged and prayed with him before the first game,” John said. “He had already been through a whole training camp and then he got cut the last week. He was worn out from that camp. You can’t just have three weeks of rest and then go right into another seven weeks. That’s what happened.”
“The Gypsy King” lost back-to-back fights to Usyk. He lost via split decision in the first meeting and via unanimous decision in the rematch.
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Fury announced his retirement in January 2025, about a month after the second loss to Usyk.
“Hey everyone, I want to make this short and sweet. I want to announce my retirement from boxing,” Fury said at the time. “It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every minute of it and I’ll end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everyone, see you on the other side.”
In January, Fury announced his plans to retire and return to boxing in 2026, but his father believes his best days are behind him.
John Fury, father of Tyson Fury, before the Tyson Fury-Arslanbek Makhmudov news conference at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 16, 2026 in London. (Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
“I think he’s past his prime,” John said. “I’m a no-filter guy – I say it like 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 hasn’t been for a while.
Tyson Fury in the stands at the O2 arena in London October 25, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images)
“I felt like strangling Sugar afterwards,” John said, referring to the meetings with Usyk. “He’s no Emanuel Steward—he’s nothing like him. He’s just a gym sweeper. That’s all he ever was.”
Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.
