sport news Headbutting a member of Oleskandr Usyk's camp, calling out Mike Tyson for a ... trends now
It's fight week as we gear up for Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk in a mouthwatering unification heavyweight bout. However, the build-up to that fight has been soured following an altercation involving Fury's father, John.
Fury Snr was left with blood pouring down his face after appearing to headbutt a member of Usyk's entourage as the build-up to Saturday's clash got off to an explosive start in Riyadh.
The rival camps had to be separated by security at the hotel where Monday's media activity was being held.
Video footage of the incident shows John Fury touching heads with one of Usyk's group and, having been pulled away, then appearing to headbutt another of the Ukrainian's party.
It was the 59-year-old father of the 'Gypsy King' who was cut, however, and despite his attempts to wipe the blood away it continued to flow. He had to be restrained repeatedly while Usyk's camp chanted 'Usyk, Usyk, Usyk'.
John, who has shot to fame during his sons' careers, has had his fair share of controversial moments and explosive interviews when appearing his sons ahead of their fights.
Mail Sport takes a look at some of his most memorable press conference moments and interviews.
John Fury was left bloodied after an altercation with a member of Oleksandr Usyk's team
Video footage caught a clash of heads between the two before blood was left sheeting down Fury's head
Insuring his testicles for £10million
What is the logical thing to do when fathering three professional fighters, including the unbeaten heavyweight champion of the world?
Well John believed that his sperm was so valuable that he had his testicles insured for £10m.
Tyson is John's most successful son as a two-time heavyweight champion, former Love Island finalist Tommy also has an unbeaten record, while Roman holds a 2-0 record after his most recent bout in June.
'I've insured my nuts for £10million [$15millionAU] – believe me there is good stuff that comes out of them. I've got world champion nuts in these trousers, breed some kings I do,' he said.
Fury says he got the insurance policy in 2020 after Tyson defeated Deontay Wilder in spectacular circumstances.
Tyson believes his dad has made a wise decision by insuring his testicles.
'He insured them because that sperm produced the heavyweight champion of the world and it's very valuable,' he explained on the Behind the Gloves YouTube show.
'So, if anything happens to him, even at his age, he could still extract a few champions out of those, so we'll see.'
John Fury (right with Tyson) had his testicles insured saying he's got 'world champion nuts'
John says he got the insurance policy after his son Tyson (pictured) beat Deontay Wilder
Upsetting Molly-Mae Hague and squaring up to a television
The controversial father of the Fury family had to defend himself after upsetting Tommy's girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague.
It was ahead of Tommy's fight with Jake Paul in December 2021. The bout was called off as Fury pulled out with an injury and they didn't square off until February 2023 when TNT picked up a split-decision win.
The main talking point from the press conference though was a crude remark Fury made to Paul and his then girlfriend Julia Rose.
He said: 'When Tommy knocks you out, he's gonna bend your girlfriend over and do her like a dog.'
The comment left Tommy with his head in his hands.
John 'upset' Molly Mae-Hague right over comments made during a press conference
In a later interview with DAZN, as per the Manchester Evening News, John defended himself as he said: 'He was messaging him graphic stuff about his girlfriend. When I saw him, he started swearing first and I don't even swear, but what I said I said.
'When you listen to the graphic stuff Jake Paul is saying about Tommy's girlfriend which isn't nice, the girl was very upset by it and I think my emotions got the better of me. These things happen in life, but do I regret what I said? No, I don't.'
During the same press conference, John came close to punching a television screen with Jake Paul's face on it.
Jake Paul played up his antagonistic role to perfection as he spoke from a lilo in a pool wearing sunglasses and sipping on a cocktail while goading the elder Fury, who unsurprisingly reached boiling point.
'You thank your lucky stars that I'm banned from your country,' he told Paul before standing up and appearing to square off with the TV.
After squaring up to the television, Fury repeatedly told Paul he was a 'scumbag'.
It wasn't the only time they square off as in November 2022, with Fury Sr and Paul both in attendance for Tommy's clash with Paul Bamba, the pair exchanged words.
Paul watching on at ringside antagonised Fury Sr enough for the latter to take his shirt of and say: 'Fight me. I'm king of the bareknuckle.'
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Face-off drama
After a relatively light-hearted press conference for Tyson Fury's bout with Dillian Whyte, they did the traditional face-off for the cameras.
It appeared to be going peacefully until John took exception to a member of Whyte's team including his brother Dean, with a melee almost breaking out.
'Tyson Fury's dad needs to relax,' Whyte told BT Sport after the press conference had ended. 'My man's 600 years old, and he's stepping forward, trying not to let my guys get on the stage.
'I told him, 'John calm down, you're an adult. You keep shouting and screaming like a child, relax. It's our day. Why are you getting yourself involved, this is mine and your son's day.'
'He's always trying to get in front of his son. I just said old man take it easy.'
Tyson, who helped calm the situation, said: 'I've just prevented a big ruckus on stage. People want a big ruckus, they want to see punching and screaming, but let the two boxers do a fight and enjoy it. It's not for entourages to get involved.
John Fury (standing in front of Tyson) started yelling at Dillian Whyte's team during their press conference
Tyson had to calm the situation down after a melee nearly broke out on stage in April 2022
Clash with Anthony Taylor
John Fury was held back by security during a heated exchange with his son Tommy's former rival Anthony Taylor.
It was ahead of Tommy's fight with Paul Bamba in November 2022, with Taylor appearing on the same card.
Taylor was keen to antagonise Fury throughout his media duties as he previewed his upcoming outing on the card, which saw Fury Sr unhappy with his son's words being interrupted. The American star shouted: 'I am fighting my guy Jack, I should be fighting Tommy Fury in the rematch. Come on you know that is not a match, you are fighting Bamba. We have unfinished business.'
The comments infuriated John who stood up and shouted 'Be quiet or I'll knock you the f*** out'. He then looked to approach Taylor as he took his jacket off and was held back by security.
Calling out David Haye
Tyson Fury and David Haye were scheduled to fight in 2013 before the latter pulled out due to injury.
After Haye came out of retirement in 2021 to fight Joe Fournier, John called out the 'Hayemaker' after he challenged Tyson.
He told "BT Sport: 'Well, my answer to that is Tyson would never give him a payday and he's got no right being in the ring with Tyson.
'Tyson would absolutely kill him, it's a joke. But I'll tell you what's not a joke - him fighting me.
'I will fight David Haye, and tell him from me - I will fight him seven days a week and three times on a Sunday. You tell him.
'Forget my son, he'll b*tch slap you, you're not in his class, you never were.
'You're a s***house, you didn't wanna fight him years ago, so let's not play games here. I'll fight you.
