In a revealing interview, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has disclosed that his eldest son, Prince John James, is determined to pursue a career in professional boxing, continuing the Fury family's storied legacy in the sport. The 15-year-old is currently accompanying his father in Thailand as Fury prepares for his upcoming bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, marking his return from retirement.
A Legacy in the Making
Tyson Fury, a father of seven, expressed confidence that Prince John James will undoubtedly step into the ring professionally. "I think that he will box, 100 per cent," Fury stated in a conversation with Ring Magazine. "He wants to be a boxer and that's why he has been in camp, training away. That's all he wants to do and this is slow and steady building." This announcement highlights the next generation of the Fury bloodline embracing the family's boxing heritage.
Warning About Scrutiny
Despite his support, Fury issued a cautionary note, drawing parallels to the experiences of Campbell Hatton, son of the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton. Fury emphasised the heightened pressure and criticism faced by offspring of famous athletes. "There are a lot of eyes and a lot of scrutiny on the kids of boxers, especially when the dad is a famous boxing star," he explained. "There is extra scrutiny and people are quick to say 'he's useless, he's not as good as his dad, yada, yada, yada.'"
Reflecting on Campbell Hatton's challenges, Fury added, "Ricky was an absolute legend so his son got so much stick for not being as good as him. It was unbelievable and he was only a young kid trying his best, trying to dedicate his life to something." He stressed the importance of readiness, saying, "So I want Prince to be completely ready for when he has his first fight because it's very hard being the son of a legend."
Holistic Training Approach
Alongside Prince John James, Fury's nephew John Boy Fury is also training with him in Thailand. The 37-year-old champion is taking a comprehensive approach to mentoring both young aspirants, focusing not just on physical prowess but also on mental and character development. "I'm not just teaching them boxing," Fury elaborated. "I'm teaching these boys that this is a commitment forever."
He outlined a disciplined routine, starting with basic responsibilities: "And the first job they have to do is get up, make the bed and clean the room up. That's job one, no questions. Only then can we start our physical training. I'm training them not only physically but mentally as well."
Shaping Future Champions
Fury described the training as a holistic experience aimed at building resilience and broadening perspectives. "We are training the mind, body and soul together and these two boys are like sponges, they take it all in," he said. "And these months that we are going to spend together every day is going to shape the rest of their lives."
He highlighted the benefits of exposure to diverse cultures and experiences during their time in Thailand: "It will build their characters. They get to meet different people, have different experiences of different cultures, eat different food, everything. This will open their eyes and broaden their horizons." Fury concluded with pride, "It's brilliant having them around, they're young, aspiring boxing at the beginning of their careers and I just wanted them to see how the master does it."
