John Fury, the dad of former heavyweight champion Tyson, left Mike Tyson emotional during an interview in 2023 after telling him how his son was named after the icon

John Fury, the father of former heavyweight champion Tyson, nearly brought Mike Tyson to tears when he revealed that his son was named after the boxing legend.

As Tyson, 58, prepares for a bout with Jake Paul next month, and Fury, 36, gears up for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, the revelation that Fury was named in his honor visibly moved the legendary heavyweight. In a 2023 clip from “Boxing Arabia” that has recently resurfaced, Fury Sr. surprised Tyson by joining him on set and sharing the story behind his son’s name. “I have waited 35 years to meet this man,” John began.

He then expressed his deep admiration for Tyson and recalling how he would wake up at 3am to watch his fights in the 1980s. Fury Sr. then shared that his respect for Tyson extended beyond his boxing career, moving the American icon to near tears as he explained how his son got his name.

“I said, ‘Hear these words. (My son is) not only going to live. He’s going to be seven feet tall, 20 stone, and the next heavyweight champion of the world, and his name is Tyson’,” Fury Sr. said, discussing how his son was born premature. Overwhelmed by the emotional revelation, Tyson abruptly paused the interview, pushing the microphone away and exclaiming: “Time, time, stop, stop.”

The respect that Fury Sr. had for Tyson seemed to hit a snag after the latter sided with Francis Ngannou during a clash against his son in October 2023. Things escalated quickly when Fury Sr. tried to pick a fight with “Iron Mike” at the press event for his son’s crossover match, despite previously naming his child after the boxing icon.

“I’m sat in the company of these great people, Mike Tyson on the end who I named my son after, I named my son Tyson. But you know what? Give me a special mention, the man who bred him,” Fury Sr said. “John Fury fears no man, no man on earth no matter what they’ve done, no matter what the accolades. Here I am, any man alive wants to fight John Fury, I’m ready to go, Mike Tyson what have you got to say to that my brother?”

John Fury made Mike Tyson emotional in the 2023 clip

Despite this, Fury Sr. remains convinced that Tyson’s current path to fight Paul is simply a maneuver to dodge him, as he renewed his call-out in April. Amid acknowledging John’s rough-hewn legacy as a former professional boxer and bare-knuckle fighter, skeptics suggest he might be overreaching by targeting “Iron Mike”.

Yet, regardless of Tyson’s formidable record, it has not deterred John from throwing down the gauntlet. “I’m the same age as him. What the hell is wrong with him,” Fury told “Seconds Out”. “Even Turki (Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabian Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority) said… His Excellency said, ‘I’m shocked Tyson didn’t want to fight you’.

“I’m shocked myself but I tell you what, I must have a presence – the Gypsy King’s dad. He’s fighting a middleweight instead of me. But I’ll fight anybody, I’m not bothered. Let’s get me paid – but pay me what I’m worth. You can get killed can’t you? But I’m willing to risk my life for the right fight and the right fight is him, Mike Tyson.”