The hugely anticipated undisputed fight week has kicked off with some unexpected drama as John Fury headbutted a member of Team Usyk and has now attempted to explain why.
We are now just days away from finding out who the number one heavyweight on the planet is as Tyson Fury takes on Usyk in Saudi Arabia this weekend. The fight has been a long time coming and even suffered another setback late in the day back in February when Fury sustained a bad cut in sparring and so the fight had to be moved to May 18.
It was another question mark against Fury following his below-par showing against Francis Ngannou last time out back in October which led many to believe he might be past his prime and in decline, including his own father.
Fury’s father is a notoriously old and proud character who is often front and centre in fight week and so it has already proved.
Fury Snr in particular got up close and personal with one member of Usyk’s team and comments from the young man angered him so much that he headbutted him. ‘Big John’ came away worse off with a bad gash to his forehead that immediately started dripping blood.
Speaking to Seconds Out, he has now attempted to explain why he did what he did and started by saying sorry.
“Sincere apologies to everybody involved to be honest with you, it’s just the way we are, emotions and tensions are running high and he was a very disrespectful fella.
“Everybody knows you come close in a fighting man’s space and you’ll cop for something, or else there’s something wrong. People don’t understand, we are the real deal as fighters.
“Win lose or draw, I’ve had 1000 hidings in my life. It doesn’t matter to me, what matters to me is respect for my son, and he wasn’t showing any of it.”
He was then asked what in particular was said that triggered his reaction.
“Well, he mentioned my son, so he had to get it.”
He was asked if he would show the same energy all week.
“We’re fighting people aren’t we. That’s a regular occurrence for me. We’re used to it. We’ve respected Usyk, never said a bad word about him, he’s a good champion, probably the second best heavyweight in the world.
“I think my son can’t be beat. When they started disrespecting a great man like The Gypsy King, they’ve got to get it.”
Fury Snr refused to specify exactly what was said.
“I would say but I can’t, it makes it look like I’m being sour, but disrespect my boy, and I will die for my son.”
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