Tyson Fury’s father offers olive branch to Oleksandr Usyk camp after altercation – Firstpost

The father of British boxer Tyson Fury said on Wednesday he did not want to “hurt any Ukrainian” after an altercation ahead of this week’s undisputed heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk. John Fury had a mark in the center of his forehead after reportedly headbutting a member of Usyk’s entourage during Monday’s media day.

“It’s a sport where there are big guys full of testosterone and things happen, emotions run high,” he said during open pre-fight training in Riyadh.

“Listen to this: I don’t want to harm any Ukrainian. I respect them, they go through all their troubles. But look, we’re all fighters and that’s what you get from fighters,” Fury told the crowd.

Footage shared on X appeared to show Fury senior face-to-face with a man wearing a Team Usyk tracksuit before hitting him with his head.

The 59-year-old was later seen with a cut forehead and two streams of blood running down his face, on either side of his nose.

After his apology, Usyk and Tyson Fury took to the open-air ring on the steamy Saudi evening for separate shadow boxing and light sparring routines.

“I’m on top of the world, baby!” Fury said afterwards when asked about his mood. “Who wouldn’t enjoy it?”

The 6-foot-9 (2.06 m), 39-year-old Fury will face 37-year-old Usyk, 6-foot-3 on Saturday in the first heavyweight unification fight in 25 years.