Sports
Tyson Fury unsure if his father will attend comeback fight after ‘destroyed’ relationship claim
Tyson Fury is set to make his highly anticipated return to the boxing ring this Saturday against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a bout he insists will play out before a sold-out crowd.
However, the heavyweight champion remains uncertain whether his father, John Fury, will be among the spectators.
The fight marks Fury’s comeback after reversing a retirement decision for the fifth time, ending a 16-month hiatus from the sport.
The event, broadcast live on Netflix from north London, has been subject to weeks of speculation regarding ticket sales. Despite this, Fury confidently predicted a full house.
“Let’s just say it’s been a very busy few months with the boxing scene all around the world and especially in the UK. There have been a lot of big fights on, but ‘Gypsy King’ always sells out,” Fury told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
“On the night there will be over 60-odd thousand at Tottenham, which is full capacity. The tickets have not been as fast as say the two days I sold out Wembley at 94,000, but it has gone over the past month or so, so we’ll be at full capacity on the night.”
The potential absence of his father adds a layer of personal drama to the event. John Fury previously made headlines at the fight’s unveiling press conference on 16 February, where he launched an expletive-laden tirade at pundit Carl Froch.
More recently, he told the Daily Mail that his relationship with his son was “destroyed completely”.
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Addressing his father’s stance, Fury explained: “He’s not happy. He wanted me to retire in 2020 after I beat Deontay Wilder. He is just not happy and doesn’t want me to box.”
He added, “I think when it’s your kids and when it’s your close relatives, you feel very concerned for the individual and he has got his opinions, he just doesn’t want me to do it, he never wanted me to do it for the past six years.”
Despite his father’s disapproval, Fury remains resolute.
“At the end of the day, every man must bear his own cross and it’s my destiny to do,” Fury said.
When asked if his father might still appear at the last minute, Fury conceded, “he might do, but he didn’t come to the Usyk II fight, so I’m not holding my breath.
“My dad will do what my dad will do and there is nothing I can do about it. He is his own person. If he turns up, great, and if he doesn’t, also great.”
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