John Fury has strongly criticized the coaching team of his son, Tyson Fury, asserting that he was the one who prevented Tyson from being knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk.
In May, the 36-year-old Fury suffered his first professional defeat and lost his WBC title to the 38-year-old Usyk via a points decision. He came very close to being stopped in the ninth round of that fight.
However, his father, John, who himself faced criticism for his actions in the corner after the fight, claimed he was the only reason his son wasn`t knocked out. Speaking to SecondsOut, John stated: “If I wasn`t in his corner, he would have been knocked out. It`s as simple as that.”
He added: “He was following incorrect instructions and got caught moving to the left against a southpaw. I`m a southpaw, and you don`t go left on me because I`ll catch you.” John Fury continued his criticism: “He was listening to bad advice, there were too many people in the corner, and as his father, if it wasn`t for me, he didn`t just stay in the fight, he won the 11th round, and he shared the tenth even though his legs were gone.”
He called Tyson`s survival in the ninth round “a miracle” but insisted, “it was me who kept him in there. If it had been up to them [the other corner team], he would have been knocked out.”
Since 2020, Fury`s head coach has been Sugarhill Steward, nephew of the renowned trainer Emanuel Steward, with former world champion Andy Lee serving as an assistant.
But dad and former boxer John expressed his anger, stating: “He was listening to people who lack fighting experience.” He further questioned Sugarhill Steward`s credentials, adding: “Ultimately, if Sugarhill were such a great trainer, his uncle Emanuel would have left him the top position, wouldn`t he?
John argued that Emanuel would have entrusted the entire training business to Sugarhill, but instead, Jonathan Banks inherited it. He listed prominent fighters like Tommy Hearns and Lennox Lewis, asking why they didn`t work with Sugarhill, implying there`s a reason for it. He also pointed out that many British fighters have hired and subsequently fired Sugarhill, asserting, “Because he`s incapable, and I`m the first one to say it.”
John clarified his criticism is purely professional: “As a person, I have nothing against him; he`s a very nice man and has never harmed me. But this is about boxing matters, and they simply don`t push Tyson hard enough. They are too lenient with him, and Tyson often dictates what to do. As I said, they won`t tell him he`s wrong because they need the money.”
In the past, Sugarhill has also trained fighters such as Ben Whittaker and Lawrence Okolie, but their partnerships eventually ended.
Sugarhill was mentored by his late uncle Emanuel, who gained widespread fame coaching fighters like Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. However, following Emanuel`s death in 2012, it was his former fighter, Jonathan Banks, who took over his stable, including Klitschko.
Sugarhill has also collaborated with former world champions Anthony Dirrell and Adonis Stevenson.
Previously, Tyson Fury himself credited Sugarhill for transforming him into a more powerful puncher, citing his two stoppage victories over Deontay Wilder.
Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury was again defeated by Usyk by points in their December rematch, a fight where his father John was not in his corner. Tyson announced his retirement a month after this second loss.
However, amid speculation about a potential future fight against Anthony Joshua, 35, Fury recently appeared training with Sugarhill again at his Morecambe gym, hinting at a possible return to the sport.
