Headbutting a member of Oleskandr Usyk's camp, calling out Mike Tyson for a fight and upsetting Tommy Fury's partner Molly Mae with 'dog-like' sex comment - the mad world of John Fury

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.'

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. Me, John Fury, 56 years old. I've got some good steam in my body left yet.

'I don't drink, don't smoke, never took drugs in my life, get to bed at 10 o'clock. Give me five weeks, me and you will get at it. Let's talk some dollars pal.'

John Fury challenged David Haye to a fight in 2021 after the latter made his return to the ring

Challenging anybody to a fight 

That leads us to August's explosive press conference ahead of Tommy Fury's fight with KSI.

KSI and his business partner Logan Paul - who will be fighting Dillon Danis on the same evening - were heard criticising the Furys before John kicked off.

John rose from his chair and shouted 'the Furys are the best fighters in the world' to cut Logan off mid-way through his speech.

John was seen flipping tables and shouting at KSI (far left in the white vest) after the YouTube-turned-boxer threw shade on the Fury name

KSI - who will go toe-to-toe with Tommy at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday, October 14 - was heard mocking the Fury's

Tommy was the calmest of all four fighters when the fight kicked off - which comes as no surprise considering he is used to the chaos associated with fighting YouTubers

John continued by saying: 'The Fury's dominate. We are the best men in the world. We will fight anybody in our way'.

KSI responded: 'Why is Tyson Fury ducking Oleksandr Usyk then? Why is he ducking Oleksandr Usyk?'

John was furious with KSI and snapped back: 'Full of s***. Full of s***. Shut up 'mother******. Come fight me now instead of talking all this bull**** about people's f****** b*******.

He continued: 'We are fighting men. My son [pointing to Tommy] will fight him now [pointing to KSI] and then fight anyone else who wants it. Now, lets get the f****** ball rolling.

'Get the cake and shove it up your a*** hole before I do it. All these little f****** kids. I am a machine. Me! Can anyone question who I am here? I will take them.'

John finished by knocking the microphones over and flipping his table before kicking KSI's table over too.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer was furious and jumped to his feet to square up to Tommy's father.

John also tried to charge KSI when the YouTuber pushed Tommy during their face-off. 

A day after the press conference he went on social media to apologise as he said: 'Just a quick apology for my inappropriate language yesterday. It's unacceptable, I accept that. Emotions run high, we get involved and it's the fight game, it was pandemonium. 

'I wasn't alone in doing it but I want to come and apologise as it's appropriate to make that apology who came to the press conference and the viewing audience.  

'I sincerely apologise and I'll try and improve, but people this is John Fury, this is who I am. I'm a real person, nothing's scripted, it happens when it happens.'

Calling out Mike Tyson during Tyson's weigh-in

Two months after table-throwing, Fury changed tact by going topless on the eve of Tyson's fight with Francis Ngannou - not before calling out a boxing legend for a fight.

Fury Snr and Mike Tyson - who was part of Ngannou's camp - exchanged verbal blows before the Gypsy King's father charged down the stage to square up to Iron Mike.

John called Mike out multiple times during the press conference, with Iron Mike laughing back before eventually agreeing to a bout.

However, it was after both men were asked for their closing statements that things go heated.

Mike chanted 'and the new' on repeat and provoked John by encouraging the crowd to join in.

John leaped out of his seat, charged down the stage shouting 'do you want to fight me? I can fight you right now' before being held back by security guards.

When John had calmed down he did admit he would struggle again Iron Mike. He said: 'Listen, let me tell you this much. I respect Mike Tyson. I named my son after him.

'But I'm a fighting man. I've got a warrior's heart. I'm in Saudi. Bring it on!'

Fury Snr was in fine form as he talked up his son - and called out Ngannou's man Mike Tyson

Do you want to fight me? I can fight you right now, Fury declared to boxing icon Iron Mike 

Fury Snr whipped his shirt off for the face-off as he got involved in the build-up to that bout

Headbutting a member of Usyk's entourage

As mentioned earlier, Fury Snr hit the headlines on Monday for his headbutt on a member of Usyk's camp.

Fury was left bleeding from his forehead after he launched the attack in the lobby of the Riyadh Hilton Hotel in Saudi Arabia.

Footage that quickly circulated on social media showed Fury Snr lashing out with his head towards Stanislav Stepchuk, who was wearing Usyk's team tracksuit. He then had to be restrained after security stepped in to prevent any further confrontation.

Fury Snr has now revealed that he become embroiled after members of Usyk's camp repeatedly roared their man's name at Fury's entourage.

'I was sat there minding my own business,' he told IFLTV, wearing a cap that covered up the mark on his head. 'All I could hear was, "Usyk, Usyk, Usyk".'

Tyson Fury was stunned after seeing his father has been left with a bloodied face

He described the chanting as 'madness' and said he launched the headbutt after 'some little idiot came forward in my space'.

Tempers flared after the two teams crossed paths in the hotel lobby on Monday, leading to a violent confrontation that overshadowed the pre-fight media day ahead of Saturday's undisputed world heavyweight title fight.

Footage of the incident shows Fury Snr 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 repeatedly roared their man's name at Fury's entourage.

When asked what had happened, Fury Snr said his was 'minding his own business' but become embroiled by how they were 'disrespecting my son'.

'All I could hear was, "Usyk, Usyk, Usyk",' he told the media.

'Coming out with all that rubbish. He’s in my face, trying to be clever. 'Coming into my space, "Usyk, Usyk", nobody’s bothering with them. I was only chanting my own son’s name.'

Fury Snr added: '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.'

He had walked away from the fracas screaming: 'We live for blood and guts.'

Fury Snr did issue an apology, however, telling Seconds Out: 'Sincere apologies to everyone involved. It's just the way we are. Emotions and tensions are running high.

'He was a very disrespectful fella. If you come close in a fighting man's space, you're gonna cop for something. What matters to me is respect for my son and he wasn't showing any of it. He mentioned my son and that was it, so he had to have it. 

'It doesn't bother me [bleeding], it's what we live for, we're fighting people.'

Fury Snr has apologised for the incident but insisted he had been provoked into the headbutt

Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk admitted the confrontation was a bad look for the sport.

'I apologised because I thought initially that one of our guys hit John, but then I saw the video and saw it was vice versa,' Krassyuk said.

'So do I take my apology back because it was his misbehaviour? He has to apologise because this does not give a good impression about us to the rest of the world. It's up to him.

'Usyk's team and Fury's team are fighters. It wouldn't be good if it got out of control. Usyk would say, "Don't touch my guys, they are dangerous".'

Tyson Fury missed the incident after speaking to the media in a side room.

'I didn't see anything, I was in the room doing interviews. But I'm not here for all that, I'm here to get the job done and go home and rest,' the heavyweight said.

According to Sky Sports, Saudi Arabian authorities have said no charges are being pressed and that no further action will be taken at this stage.