Boxing fans have called for John Fury to be ‘banned’ from attending Saturday’s heavyweight unification bout between his eldest son, Tyson, and Oleksandr Usyk after he headbutted a member of the Ukrainian’s camp.
Fury‘s father John came off the worst of a violent confrontation with one of Usyk’s staff and was left with a bloody face that left his heavyweight world champion son stunned.
Tempers flared as the two teams crossed paths in the lobby of the palatial Riyadh Hilton Hotel at the first event of the week in the build-up to Saturday’s main event in Saudi Arabia.
Members of Usyk’s team chanted the name of the Ukrainian fighter when in the same small proximity space as Fury’s entourage, prompting 59-year-old Fury Snr to aim a headbutt at one of the smallest individuals in the group.
Others quickly flooded into the area to separate those at the heart of the confrontation and stop any more violence from breaking out. It is yet to be seen if Saudi Arabian police will take any action.
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Boxing fans have called for John Fury (pictured) to be ‘banned’ from attending Saturday’s heavyweight unification bout between his son Tyson and Oleksandr Usyk after he headbutted a member of the Ukrainian’s camp
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Video footage caught a clash of heads before blood was left pouring down Fury’s head
The moment John Fury headbutts a member of Usyk’s team
Fury has made a habit for attempting to cause chaos in the build-up to big fights involving his family of fighters but has taken things to a new level with his latest violent demonstration.
Boxing supporters are furious with the actions of Fury Snr and have called for fight organisers to discipline him severely.
Posting on X, one boxing fan said: ‘Ban him from attending the fight.’
Another similarly shocked viewer commented: ‘Why does John Fury have to make it about him don’t think I’ve ever seen any other boxers dad so crave the limelight, embarrassing.’
Others described Fury Snr as an ‘absolute clown’ for his headbutt, while a different online post read: ‘He bopped the smallest guy. That tells you all you need to know about John Fury.’
Fury previously served three years in prison for assault in England after gouging a man’s eye in a brawl.
Tyson Fury’s dad John bloodied after clash with Usyk’s team
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Tyson (left) was stunned after seeing his father has been left with a bloodied face
Tyson didn’t see the confrontation between his father and Usyk’s team and was later surprised when he saw his dad has been left with a bloody face.
When he was told, Tyson said: ‘It is what it is. Not interested. Doesn’t affect anything. I’ve seen a lot worse.’
Fury Snr later attempted to explain his actions, telling IFLTV: ‘I’m going to stand up for my son. At the end of the day, my son is the best in the world and I want people to respect him and give him the credit that he deserves.
‘He’s the best in the world. And when people start saying this and saying that… when I was among them, all I could hear was madness. Some little idiot came forward in my space, he got what he got and that’s the end of it.’
