John Fury has revealed that his relationship with Tyson Fury has “completely broken down” and believes his son is “beyond his best” ahead of next month’s return fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Fury is preparing to return to the ring for the first time since losing a rematch to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, although he initially lost out on the undisputed heavyweight title to the Ukrainian in May of the same year.
Father John has long been a familiar face in Fury’s corner, with his controversial actions in press conferences and fight weeks sometimes drawing the wrong headlines.
John Fury is no longer part of Tyson Fury’s training team
“My relationship with Tyson has fallen apart,” Fury told Playbook Boxing powered by Betway. “Boxing completely destroyed that. I’ll say it on camera: I’ve never taken ten pounds from him in my life and I never will.
“I don’t want Tyson’s money and I don’t need Tyson’s money. I wish him good luck with whatever he gets. But let’s not forget who built his story when he was a kid. He didn’t build it himself, right? Me, his father.”
In the same interview, Fury was highly critical of his son’s trainer Sugarhill Steward, questioning his advice for his first fight with Usyk.
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Fury playfully tickles Mahmudov in their showdown ahead of their highly anticipated fight in April
Fury took a three-year break from the ring following his 2015 win over Wladimir Klitschko before returning to ignite a captivating trilogy with Deontay Wilder, stopping the hard-hitting American twice despite being held to a draw against Wilder.
His father believes three physically demanding bouts with Wilder mean Fury’s best days are behind him.
“I think he’s surpassed his best,” Fury added. “I’m the type of person who doesn’t have any filters and just says what I think. I love him, but too many people are patting him on the back, saying things that aren’t true and holding him up like he’s invincible. He’s not, and hasn’t been for a while.
“Ever since the Deontay Wilder fight, Tyson has been gone. They finished him. Wilder has done him all the way. He has no legs. They took a lot from Tyson. Mahmudov is a problem for Tyson. I was the first to say that.”
“Listen, I understand that Tyson is testing himself. But what I can tell you right now is that his legs are not there anymore. I understand that the only way he believes it and sees it is when the first bell rings.”
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Fury believes Oleksandr Usyk will “beg” for a trilogy fight by the end of this year.
Usyk recently spoke about the prospect of a trilogy fight with Fury, who is nearing the end of his career, but John insists the outcome remains the same.
“Nothing changes,” he said. “Tyson gets weaker and Usyk gets stronger.”
Sky Sports News has contacted Tyson Fury’s camp for comment.
