John Fury says sorry for attacking Stanislav Stepchuk and attempts to explain the reason behind it
On Monday, May 13, Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight week kicked off in the only way that could be expected for the famous fighting Fury family, with controversy, violence and backlash.
Tyson’s father John Fury was caught up in an altercation with Usyk’s team where crowds were gathered in the same area, resulting in an inevitable clash between the opposing teams.
John Fury was videoed shouting in the face of the Usyk team members just before an unsuspecting, seemingly innocent, Stanislav Stepchuk came too close to the gypsy and was viciously headbutted by the 59-year-old.
Irishman John Fury instantly cut the Ukrainian as well as himself as blood poured from his head. Stepchuk didn’t appear to say or do anything wrong, just happened to be standing in the wrong place at the wrong time with a violent man, who is banned from visiting America because of his criminal record.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Big John Fury attempted to explain why he attacked Stanislav Stepchuk and started by saying sorry.
“Sincere apologies to everybody involved. To be honest with you, it’s just the way we are, emotions and tensions are running high and he was a very disrespectful fella.
“Everybody knows you come close in a fighting man’s space and you’ll cop for something, or else there’s something wrong. People don’t understand, we are the real deal as fighters.
“Win lose or draw, I’ve had 1000 hidings in my life. It doesn’t matter to me, what matters to me is respect for my son, and he wasn’t showing any of it.”
Joe Egan, who has an ongoing rivalry with John Fury, shared his displeasure at what he saw, “I want to take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the boxing world to the Saudi royal family and to the people of Saudi Arabia who welcomed the Fury family into their wonderful country and also to the people of Ukraine for the conduct of this scumbag.
“I would take great pleasure in smashing this man to bits if he ever has the courage to climb into the boxing ring with me.”
BBN Editor, Tim Rickson, reflected, “His apology is incredibly weak and insincere. He’s essentially saying ‘I’m sorry for the violence, but that’s the way I am, so don’t get to close to me or I’ll attack at any time’.
“I thought the young Stanislav came across well in that he seemingly didn’t do anything to provoke John Fury, but took the headbutt like a man and even went in for him but was held back, and he was half the size of him.
“It’s the same theme every single time any Fury fights; John Fury acts up and steals as much of the limelight as possible, whether he’s shouting his mouth of, throwing chairs and tables at press conferences, and now headbutting young kids… I can’t understand how he is never held accountable. It’s about time there were consequences for his outrageous actions.”
Other Reactions
“John Fury headbutts the smallest guy in the room after doing nothing against the bigger men. His behaviour gets more embarrassing and erratic at every event, it’s absolutely pathetic.”
“It’s worse than bad behaviour, it’s an assault and so out of order and really shows what John Fury is. If he was my father, he would’ve been on a plane instantly after this and never allowed near any boxing events.”
“John Fury and his Belly are nothing but low-class thugs and bullies.”
“That’s why he’s not allowed in America, once a thug always a thug.”