Tyson Fury’s dad John Fury was left with a bloody face after he headbutted a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s entourage during an ugly clash at a media event.
The build-up to the undisputed world heavyweight clash turned ugly in Riyadh on Monday as rival camps had to be separated by security at a hotel, where media activity was being held.
During the incident, ahead of the fight on 18 May, John Fury headbutted a member of his son’s rival’s entourage.
Following the incident, John was left with a large cut on his forehead.
Blood continued to flow from the wound despite the 59-year-old’s attempts to wipe it away and he had to be restrained repeatedly while Usyk’s camp chanted “Usyk, Usyk, Usyk”.
John Fury. Pic: PA
Tyson Fury missed the fracas as he was giving an interview elsewhere. Pic: PA
When asked what sparked incident, John replied: “[Them] coming into my space with ‘Usyk, Usyk’.
“Nobody was bothering them, I was only chanting my own son’s name and they stepped closer and closer.
“At the end of the day, I’m a warrior, that’s what we do. We’re fighting people. You come in the space, you’re going to get what’s coming.”
When Tyson saw his dad for the first time since the fracas, having been elsewhere giving a separate interview, he said: “How did you cut yourself like that?”
The incident continues to ratchet up anticipation and tension as the rivals meet for the first time at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
Tyson Fury during a press conference last month. Pic: PA
Saturday’s clash will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 – and the first of the four-belt era.
WBC champion Lewis won the WBA and IBF titles from Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Fury said: “I can’t wait.”
He added: “It’s unbelievable to be out here. Everyone is on a high. Big-time boxing in Saudi Arabia is fantastic.
“I’m going to enjoy this week because it’s been many years coming. So we’ll enjoy it. I feel on top of the world and I can’t wait.”
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Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight king, won his WBA, IBF and WBO titles by beating Anthony Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021 and successfully defended them against the same opponent a year later.
Multiple attempts were made to match him against Fury, which fell through until an agreement was struck in September.
But the original date of 17 February had to be scrapped after Fury suffered a cut in training.
Before the pair climb into the ring on Saturday, a week of promotional activity awaits with Usyk set to be targeted by more mind games.
Usyk said: “I’m doing good, I’m happy and I’m hungry. I don’t care how Tyson will be this week. I’m ready.
“For me 18 May is important, what Tyson does in the press conferences doesn’t matter.
“I don’t think about Tyson Fury now. I’ve seen him in a lot of fights. I don’t know how he will box against me, we will see when we get into the ring.”
