Security intervene as John Fury rips shirt off and joins Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou staredown in explosive press conference

John Fury showed Mike Tyson he’s ready for war by ripping off his shirt during an explosive press conference in Saudi Arabia.

The 59-year-old was in Riyadh for his son, Tyson’s press conference ahead of his fight with Francis Ngannou, who is trained by the former heavyweight champion.

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John followed Tyson’s lead by appearing topless on stage for the staredownCredit: Queensberry Promotions

When the two were finished with their back and forth on stage with microphone in hand, they stood for the customary staredown that concludes any press conference ahead of fight night.

And Fury Sr joined the action and went topless just like the current WBC heavyweight champion.

At one point he marched past him and stood looking at Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, who is making his professional boxing debut.

However, John was blocking the view of the television camera and everyone watching, prompting security to intervene and gently coax him backwards.

Fury and Ngannou then traded more words, with the undefeated boxer making jokes at Ngannou’s expense before he joined the topless action to reveal a muscular physique.

Earlier, John had used the press conference to call out Mike Tyson for a fight and, while the boxing legend remained non-committal on stage, John doubled down on his proposal in an interview once the press conference had concluded.

“It’s about entertaining the world and if I can do that it’ll be the icing on my cake for my lifetime to fight that great power.

“Win, lose, I’m not saying I can beat him but John Fury will give a good account of himself.

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Fury Sr was on a mission to intimidate and tried staring down the boxing noviceCredit: Queensberry Promotions

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In the end the event’s security asked him to stand aside so fans and TV cameras could catch the action, while Mike Tyson remained calm on the opposite sideCredit: Queensberry Promotions

“I’ll stand in the middle of the ring and I’ll trade until I’m dead.”

Asked about the press conference, Fury said: “With the great Mike Tyson it’s got to be the best, hasn’t it?

“Up close and personal, we had a back and forth and to and fro, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

“I’m a fighting man; win, lose or draw. Nothing in the world can happen to me that hasn’t already happened and I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.

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Credit: Getty

“I’ve got my son’s back a million and 20 per cent.”

He added: “I don’t care what he [Tyson] has got left. He’s old like me.

“I know what I’ve got left, my balls and my heart and that’s all you need and with them you can move a mountain.”

In the ring, Fury Jr has already agreed a fight to take on Oleksandr Usyk after he is done with Ngannou.

Usyk holds all the other belts in the division and, though Fury’s WBC belt is not on the line, a loss on an otherwise perfect record in Saudi Arabia, will be damaging.