Carl Froch isn't having any of John Fury's pre-fight shenanigans.
Fury, the outspoken father of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, was involved in an altercation on Monday with members of Oleksandr Usyk's team. The elder Fury walked away with a bloodied forehead after appearing to headbutt one of Usyk's entourage.
It was a wild start to fight week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of Saturday's undisputed world heavyweight title bout between Tyson Fury and unified champion Usyk, but Froch wants John Fury to tone down the antics.
Speaking to Online-slots-real-money.com, the multiple-time former super middleweight champion had harsh words for the elder Fury in the aftermath of Monday's confrontation, telling him to "pipe down" and stay out of the build-up to the biggest fight of the year.
“He [John Fury] has overstepped the mark!" Froch said. "We're having a go at John Fury now though.
"He was having a go at me before. He called me out and said he'll give me a kick up the arse and give me a slap. And that he would take me in a fight. He literally made a public offer down the phone that he'll fight me at Wembley Stadium. I paid him a bit of lip service because I'm not going to sit back and just let somebody trash talk me without giving a response.
"It's a bit cringey the stuff he says. A lot of it is a bit close to the bone as well. It's borderline absurd and crude. I think, ‘come on John, think about what you're gonna say before you say it.’
"The fighting man that doesn't fight has caused trouble, I'm not surprised, he's been told to pipe down and keep out of the way on the build up to this. He's been told, pipe down, keep your mouth shut, and stay out of the way of the promotion.
"This is serious business boxing. And he's a clown sometimes."
Live on DAZN PPV: Fury vs. Usyk on May 18. Click here for details.