An otherwise respectful press conference broke out into chaos as Tyson Fury’s father waded into the heavyweight action at Wembley Stadium.
Dillian Whyte lashed John Fury as an “idiot” after he began to shout at Whyte’s brother Dean and had to be held back by his superstar son.
Fury is defending his WBC heavyweight title against Whyte on Sunday (AEST) in front of an expected record British boxing crowd of 94,000.
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte on Sunday April 24 will be live and ad-free only on Stan Event, and can be purchased by Stan customers for $60. Ring walks for the main event are expected no earlier than 7am AEST
“Tyson Fury’s dad needs to relax,” Whyte told BT Sport.
“My man’s 600 years old and he’s coming forward, and they’re trying not to let my guys enter the stage.
“I said to him: ‘John, calm down, you’re an adult. You keep shouting and screaming like a child. This is me and your son’s day. Why are you getting involved?’ He’s trying to get in front of his son.”
It was the first time the boxers had come face to face since the mega-fight was announced.
Fury had been critical of Whyte for dodging the pre-fight promotion but the former sparring partners were mild mannered in the press conference before John entered the fray.
“John was trying to start something,” Whyte said. “And it’s stupid, it’s a big fight. He wants to rob 94,000 fans of a fight. He’s a real idiot.”
READ MORE: Expert predictions for Tyson Fury-Dillian Whyte fight
READ MORE: Dillian Whyte’s wild ride to heavyweight title shot
READ MORE: Tyson Fury’s blunt response to links with crime gang
https://twitter.com/VinceRugari/status/1516777646868344840?s=20&t=cbbG9n7-JqoXDncazOGvPw
The press conference opened at the same time as controversial boxing management company MTK Global announced that it was shutting down.
Fury has attempted to distance himself from the company despite his publicised former ties with founder Daniel Kinahan – the head of an Irish crime gang.
An Associated Press journalist attempted to ask Fury about MTK’s closure but was met with silence before ‘The Gypsy King’ later raised a middle finger.
“Since leading promoters have now informed us that they will be severing all ties with MTK and will no longer work with our fighters, we have taken the difficult decision to cease operations at the end of this month,” MTK said in a statement.
Kinahan was pictured with Fury in February in Dubai and has attempted to organise fights for him in the past.
“The man’s been a boxing fan, there’s not much more I can say,” Fury said after an open workout on Wednesday (AEST).
“There’s not much more of a relationship, there is none.”
Fury declined an opportunity to say if he had severed all relations with Kinahan.
“That’s none of your business and none of anybody else’s business,” Fury said.
https://twitter.com/StanSportAU/status/1514500078752641029?s=20&t=cbbG9n7-JqoXDncazOGvPw
“My business is my business, your business is yours, and that’s it.”
Fury himself has been a controversial figure.
There was a backdated two year doping ban for having elevated levels of nandrolone in urine samples provided after fighting in 2015.
Fury also had to reapply for his British boxing licence, which was suspended over separate incidents of drug use and medical issues.
Fury acknowledged “ups and downs” on Thursday.
“A druggie, an alcoholic, all the rest of the stuff I am not ashamed of,” Fury said.
“It’s a part of who I am.”
He can be sure of a supportive crowd when nearly 100,000 fight fans pack into Wembley.
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” Fury said.
“I’m that kind of fighter where whatever I’ve got to do, I would do. Anything, victory by any means necessary, I’ll do that. I’m not scared to take risks. I’ve taken risks my life, so it’s nothing new.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!