Why is Tyson's father John Fury banned from the States?
Tyson Fury has been quick to credit his father, John, for his part in helping him rise to heavyweight boxing glory.
The Gypsy King was born into a fighting family with his dad a key figure once again in his build-up to his trilogy win over Deontay Wilder this year.
But Fury Snr. wasn’t in Tyson’s corner at ringside for the WBC title clash in Las Vegas last month as he is banned from entering the USA.
For that same reason, John cannot join Tyson in helping his other son Tommy in the latter’s clash with Jake Paul in December.
In an interview with talkSPORT.com, the 57-year-old revealed just why he will be forced to watch his son's Statesides fights from home:
Why is he not allowed in the USA?
John served as Tyson’s trainer until he was handed an 11-year jail sentence in 2011 for gouging a man’s eye out.
A 12-year grudge with Oathie Sykes that started over a bottle of beer in Cyprus in 1999 boiled over and erupted at a car auction.
John left his rival half blind after ramming his finger into Sykes’ eye during the attack moments after declaring himself the country’s toughest man.
Yet he pleaded in court for a lenient sentence saying: “I’m worried about my son. His boxing career is on the line.
“If I could give my own eye to him to get back to my children I would do – I’m begging you for my life,” he pleaded with the judge and jury.
But Sykes provided a different testimony, revealing: “It was like he was trying to pull his finger into my brains through my socket.”
Fury Snr. was released from prison in 2015 after serving just four years and was celebrating Tyson’s win over Wladimir Klitschko just two months later.
He was ringside in Dusseldorf, Germany as his son became heavyweight world champion but his criminal record has prevented him entering the US.
Touching behind-the-scenes video footage has since emerged of John throwing every punch with his son as he watched the second Wilder fight in the UK.
In the video, Fury Jr was heard asking his dad if his fight looked good on the telly, with John replying: “It was the best I’ve ever seen in my life.
On missing out on the opportunity to support his son in person, he shrugged, “I’m used to it by now.
“His wife’s his mentor – he’s said that in the past – but I’m his father and I bred him so that makes me closer to him than his wife.
“Without me he wouldn’t have a life so I’m the number one in his life, but what do I say about that?
“But what can I say about that? [Not being ringside] you have to get on with it.”
Who is John Fury?
Standing at 6ft 3in, Fury Snr. is an Irish-born retired boxer who was born in Galway on May 22, 1964.
He fought under the name ‘Gypsy’ John Fury – first as a bareknuckle boxer before eventually graduating into the professional ranks.
Billed as a heavyweight, John won eight of his 13 fights but lost his only title bout (for the Central Area belt) against Neil Malpass in June 1989.
In addition to Tyson, he is also the father of Love Island star and fellow boxer Tommy Fury and the uncle to heavyweight Hughie Fury.
Fury vs Paul
He has since revealed that Tyson Fury will be in Tommy Fury’s corner for his upcoming fight with Jake Paul.
John told BT Sport: “Tommy knows he’s up against a stacked deck, but he should still beat Jake Paul at a canter.
“And if he can’t, there’s no way in the boxing world for him.
“It’s make or break, for both men, but it’ll hit Tommy harder because Tommy’s supposed to be a professional boxer.
“Tommy will work hard, he’ll do what he’s gotta do.
“Has Tommy got the skill to beat him? Yes. Has he got the power to knock him out? Yes.
“All it is with Tommy – he’s young, can he handle the big occasion on the night?
“But I’m sure he’s thought about it many times before and he’s got the king of the ring in his corner.
“Tyson’s gonna be in his corner that night. I think Tyson’s flying out there in a few weeks to help him out.
“Whatever desire he’s missing, Tyson will put there, I’m sure of that.”
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News