Tyson Fury wanted to look after dad John after making millions but he wanted to live a simple life.
John Fury was offered two purchases from son Tyson Fury, refusing one and quickly returning the other.
Despite his former world heavyweight champion son being involved in some of the biggest fights in history and pocketing millions in purse money, ‘Big John’ lives a simple life and wouldn’t have it any other way.
He came from nothing as a travelling man and even though he became a professional boxer, made little money from his career.
His sons Tyson and Tommy have raked in the big bucks though and the former in particular has made sure to look after his old man.
Yet when the Gypsy King has gone to treat John, he has never been onboard.
In his book, When Fury Takes Over: Life, the Furys and Me, John recalled the time Tyson proposed building him a new house and when he unexpectedly gifted him a Rolls Royce car.
Image: Getty
John refused the first proposition for sentimental reasons and returned the luxury vehicle to the garage, with the offer itself carrying more meaning for him.
In the book, he wrote: “Tyson once asked me if I wanted him to knock down my house so he could build a nicer one in its place, and I said, ‘No, I couldn’t. I’ve got so many memories of you and your brothers growing up here, of the family.. mum and dad, staying here, I couldn’t knock it down.’
“On another occasion, Tyson bought me a brand-new Rolls-Royce Phantom. First of all he claimed the car was for Paris, and asked me if I wouldn’t mind driving it to the house for him. I said, ‘What on earth does Paris need a car like this for? She’s already got the RV and she can fit all the prams and the kids’ stuff in that?’ Tyson smiled, ‘Actually, Dad, this is for you.’
“I told him, ‘You know, even if I was a rich man I wouldn’t buy this car, because I don’t need it. But the offer you just made is worth more to me than the car. I don’t want your wealth, son.
“Just you keep winning, being a good dad and taking care of your health with your head screwed on, those are all the gifts that I want. And if ever I’m in need of a Roller, I need only ask you.’
“The garage was in Knutsford, Cheshire, and I returned the keys to the man who’d sold Tyson the car and asked to put the money back in my son’s account.
‘Well, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen one of these returned!’ he said.
“‘What my son’s achieved in the ring and the man that he is today are more than enough for me.’
“There’s a big difference between needing and wanting, and if I don’t need something it has no place in my home. It wasn’t the fact that the Roller cost around half a million pounds, that wasn’t the issue, the issue was, I didn’t need it. “I keep very little in my life that doesn’t have a purpose or use.”
Image: Getty
John does enjoy collecting “inexpensive” cars and has had antique Lander Cruisers and Land Rovers in his backyard, likening fixing up old rusty motors to helping a “fragile” bird fly again.
