John Fury was caught in the middle of an extremely heated exchange between his son’s entourage and Oleksandr Usyk’s ahead of Tyson’s unification title fight this weekend, during which he was spotted headbutting a member of the opposing team.
The clip and images of John Fury‘s bleeding forehead quickly began circulating all over the internet, and now the boxing patriarch has come out to explain what led to the incident and why he headbutted Usyk faithful, Stanislav Stepchuk.
As can be seen in the original footage, it appears as though the only cause for the altercation was Stepchuk and co. chanting ‘Usyk!’ in support of the Ukrainian boxer as the Fury family and their followers were doing the same.
Cut to a few moments later and that’s exactly what you’ll find on John Fury’s face – a small gash after he decided to headbutt the considerably younger and smaller man from Usyk’s corner.
‼️ Full, close-up video of John Fury's headbutt clash with Oleksandr Usyk's team which left him bleeding today…
The moments leading up to and including the John Fury headbutt.
Fury was insistent that it was the opponents that started the confrontation, despite admitting he was already chanting Tyson‘s name, and that was seemingly what sparked not only an intense face-off between another member of Usyk’s team but was, apparently, enough to justify headbutting him too.
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As he explains to Sky Sports, “he disrespected my son, the greatest heavyweight to ever wear a pair of boxing gloves, coming out with all that rubbish. You know, he’s in my face, trying to be clever.
“[They were] coming into my space chanting… nobody was bothering with them. They stepped closer and closer, so at the end of the day I’m a warrior – that’s what we do, we’re fighting people”.
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He goes on to argue that the clash wasn’t even about the fight and that tensions weren’t necessarily that high prior to this flashpoint but that is simply normal behaviour in his world, quipping that’s “seven nights a week for me, we’re not interested.”
🗣️ 'They came into my space!’
Tyson Fury’s father John Fury gives his perspective of the clash between himself and Oleksandr Usyk’s camp in Riyadh pic.twitter.com/uXACHAdhHm
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) May 13, 2024
He’s been heavily criticised for the attack but here’s John Fury explaining why he decided to headbutt Usyk’s team member.
Speaking to iFL TV, Fury Sr. did admit that “emotions are running high” and that he was always going “stand up for my son”, labelling Stepchuk a “little idiot”.
As for his opposite number, who also appeared on camera with a cut on his forehead, he argued that Usyk’s team “didn’t offend him” and were simply chanting in support. As for the WBO, WBA (Super) and IBF title-holder himself, he labelled John Fury’s behaviour as “bipolar” and simply “bad behaviour”.
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John Fury has ultimately gone on to say sorry, telling Seconds Out: “Sincere apologies to everybody involved. It’s just the way we are. Emotions and tensions are running high. He was a very disrespectful fella,” adding, “If you come close in a fighting man’s space, you’re gonna cop for something.
Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk in Riyad this Saturday, 18 May, with the latter looking to add the WBC belt to his collection and the Manc boxer looking to declare himself the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Who do you reckon is going to take it?
Featured Images — Sky Sports/Serge Lapin (via Michael Benson on X)
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Joey Barton officially sentenced over offensive online posts
Danny Jones
Retired footballer Joey Barton has officially been sentenced following a series of offensive posts on social media over the past year or so.
Six counts pertaining to three individuals, in particular, were highlighted when he appeared for his final hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, 8 December: online abuse directed at fellow ex-pros Eni Aluko, Lucy Ward and broadcaster Jeremy Vine.
Charged and now finally found guilty of ‘grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety’, Joey Barton has been given a six-month prison sentence – suspended for 18 months, however, meaning he won’t serve jail time unless he reoffends during this period.
Here he is queuing up outside the Crown Court earlier today:
BREAKING: Former footballer Joey Barton given six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months over "grossly offensive" social media posts about Jeremy Vine, Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko. pic.twitter.com/dQuAAT1mQu
For context, the social media posts in question refer to the ones made on X (previously known as Twitter) and directed at the aforementioned public figures.
The former Manchester City player and Liverpool youth product, who is originally from Merseyside but is now based around Widnes in Cheshire, was found guilty on Friday despite insisting his innocence throughout.
Barton – now 43 and having become a vocal far-right commentator – compared Aluko and Ward to two of the most infamous convicted serial killers in British history, writing that they were “the Fred and Rose West of football commentary” back in January 2024.
He also labelled radio host and TV presenter, Vine, a “bike nonce” in a post that he later went on to dismiss as nothing more than “crude banter” and an attempt at “dark and stupid humour”, stating that he has no intention of actually suggesting he was a paedophile.
Elsewhere in the court appearance, Barton claimed that he is a victim of “political prosecution”; nevertheless, the judge found that the one-time England international (who also played for Newcastle, QPR, Burnley, Rangers and Marseille) “crossed the line between free speech and a crime.”
You can see the moment Judge Andrew Menary handed down the verdict, which will see him avoid time in custody once more, in full down below.
As per an official update via the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Senior Prosecutor Callum Bryce of CPS Mersey-Cheshire said: “Between early January and mid-March 2024, Barton subjected three public figures to offences of malicious communications.
“Barton said in his evidence before the court that in some of his messages he was trying to make a serious point in a provocative way and that in others he was simply joking.
“The finding of the jury confirmed that his conduct had gone beyond any joke and his messages were grossly offensive with the purpose of causing anxiety and distress to his victims.”
It’s also worth noting that he has been charged, found guilty and sentenced before already this year.
Paul Scholes blasts Ruben Amorim for ‘bull****’ response to Kobbie Mainoo question
Danny Jones
Club legend Paul Scholes has called out Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim for what he dubbed a “bull****” reaction to a question from a journalist regarding Kobbie Mainoo on Thursday.
The Portuguese coach saw his Premier League win rate clock in at just under 44% (the lowest of any Man United manager for, let’s just say, some time) after the 1-1 home draw against West Ham.
Conceding a late goal against the Irons, who are currently sat in the relegation zone, the Red Devils ultimately dropped another two points against a side that they should be beating, both based on present form and if they have any hopes of competing for the top spots.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim was pressed on why he didn’t make a more offensive substitution to try and claw back the victory, to which he then asked what looked to be a somewhat loaded question and gave this reaction after the response:
The laughter, in particular, hasn’t gone down well with everyone, especially the Class of ’92 graduate and retired midfielder.
Jumping on social media after the quotes from the Amorim press conference were out, Scholes posted on his Instagram story: Bull****. This kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football.”
He went on to add: “Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it’s probably best for him now – enough is enough.”
First off, Reds – do you agree?
It isn’t the first time Scholes has levelled criticism at Amorim, his tactics, management and overall coaching style, having said this of their previous appointment at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes on Ruben Amorim's tactics against 10-man Everton which frustrated him 😬 pic.twitter.com/AgsESuH83h
Safe to say he isn’t his biggest supporter at the moment.
Fellow former teammate and England international turned pundit, Gary Neville, was also left not just confused but frustrated by the performance, telling Sky Sports in his post-match interview that he noted the camera picking up “real dejection” on the faces of the fans after the full-time whistle.
With an away trip against Wolves, a home match against Bournemouth, as well as travelling to face high-flying European place competitors, Aston Villa, before hosting Newcastle on Boxing Day, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the results will pan out.
You can see the highlights from Man United vs West Ham down below.
How many points do you see them picking up over the next four fixtures?
Danny Jones -
14th May 2024 
