Tyson Fury gives update on broken relationship with father ahead of boxing return

Jack Otway
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:46:52 +0000

Tyson Fury has disclosed that his father John has been urging him to hang up his gloves for the past six years and now refuses to watch him compete in the ring.

The former two-time world heavyweight champion made the revelation during an appearance on Good Morning Britain ahead of his Saturday showdown with Arslanbek Makhmudov.

"He's not happy. He wanted me to retire in 2020 after I beat Deontay Wilder," Fury stated.

The Gypsy King suggested his father's opposition stems from parental concern, noting that John has consistently held this view since that Wilder victory.

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"He's got his opinions and he doesn't want me to do it he never has wanted me to do it for the past six years," Fury explained.

"At the end of the day, every man must bear his own cross and it's my destiny to do."

The rift between father and son has been laid bare in recent weeks, with John Fury publicly declaring that the sport has torn their bond apart.

Speaking to Playbook Boxing last month, the Fury patriarch was unequivocal about the damage done.

"My relationship with Tyson is destroyed. Boxing destroyed it completely," John stated.

He was also keen to address any financial speculation, insisting he has never profited from his son's success.

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"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 declared.

However, John was quick to remind observers of his role in shaping the heavyweight's career from childhood: "Don't forget who built his story when he was a kid. He didn't build it himself, did he? Me, his father."

Tommy Fury appears to share his father's concerns regarding his older brother's continued presence in the ring.

The younger Fury sibling, who is preparing for his own bout against former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall, has made clear that opposition to Tyson's boxing career extends throughout the family.

Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Tommy offered an unambiguous assessment of the family's collective view.

"I think if you asked any one of his family do we want to see him keeping boxing the answer would have been an all around 'no'," he said. "That's all the way around the board because we care about his health."

The health concerns appear to be the driving factor behind the family's unified stance against the 36-year-old's return to competitive boxing.

Fury will face Makhmudov, who holds a record of 21 wins and two defeats, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend, with ambitions to secure further fights before the year concludes.

Whether John will be present remains uncertain, with Tyson drawing comparisons to Chris Eubank Snr's last-minute appearance at his son's clash with Conor Benn.

"He might do, he might do, he might do. But he didn't come to the Usyk II fight so I'm not holding my breath," Fury acknowledged.

The heavyweight appeared philosophical about his father's potential absence.

"My dad will do what my dad will do, he's his own man and there's nothing I can do about it. If he turns up, great and if he doesn't, also great," he added.