Many years before the boxing world was introduced to Tyson Fury, his father, John, was competing as a professional, but he ultimately failed to achieve the heights his son would later go on to reach.
These days, John is widely known as the father of two-time world heavyweight champion Tyson, as well as media personality and professional boxer Tommy.
Whenever the 60-year-old attends a press conference, fireworks usually follow. John is a larger-than-life character who has no qualms about telling you how good his sons are as they follow a long line of bare-knuckle fighters and boxers.
Back in the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s, John embarked on a professional career of his own, winning six of his first seven bouts.
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In June 1989, he boxed Neil Malpass for the then-vacant Central Area heavyweight title but lost on points. Wins against Michael Murray and Cesare Di Benedetto followed before John finished his career with two successive defeats against Henry Akinwande in 1991 and Steve Garber in 1995.
So why did a promising early career ultimately result in disappointment?
In 2021, John opened up about how his lack of professionalism and commitment to the sport ultimately cost him his career.
During an appearance on True Geordie’s Pain Game Podcast, John explained how he would “go on bad benders” sometimes for “a month or two solid” during his career.
“I’ll tell you the truth, I went partying in Spain, all over the world, and I enjoyed every minute of it," he said. "I skinted myself, the missus left me, the kids left me. I was just a party boy.
"I thought, ‘Bugger it, I’m getting £250, I’m getting a day job and going to enjoy some kind of life.’
“I used to go on a bender for a month or two solid.”
When asked what a prime John Fury party looked like, he continued: “Three or four brasses (prostitutes) every night, two or three bottles of whisky. If there were any drugs going, I’d have them as well. Anything goes.
“I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror — three brasses in the bed — and I thought, ‘You know what, let’s get home to the kids. I’ve had enough of this s****,’ and that was it. I’d go home and the missus would batter me with a rolling pin for ten minutes, and I’d think, ‘You know what, I deserve it.’ [I’d go] back to work on Monday morning. That was John Fury. [But] I always loved and cherished my kids.”
Following his retirement from professional boxing, John worked as a trainer for his sons, having also served an 11-year prison sentence after being found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
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Topics: John Fury, Tyson Fury, Boxing, Tommy Fury
Luke Davies