Tyson Fury sparked rumours of a sensational comeback when he was pictured in the gym with trainer Sugar Hill Steward.
Fury called time on his career in January after losing for a second time to Oleksandr Usyk in December.
Despite vowing to remain retired, many expect the former two-time heavyweight world champion to reverse his decision, but his father, John Fury insists he must get himself into better shape if he is to mount a comeback.
“He’s got to spend time on his physique,” Fury told Seconds Out.
“Forget the boxing.
“He needs 12 months on his physique to get some muscle on his frame.
“What’s letting him down is his physical condition.
“His lack of muscle. His lack of body strength and his lack of power, because they’re not using the muscles and working the muscles you need at that level.
“If you’re fighting at an undisputed world level, you’ve got to train like an absolute titan and if you’re not going to do that, stay retired.
“The result’s going to be the same.
“He’s got tons left in the tank.
“This man could come back and win that belt three times over, but not with a crowd around him.”
John was in his son’s corner alongside Steward and Andy Lee for his first clash with Usyk last May, with ‘The Gypsy King’ suffering a split decision defeat.
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The 59-year-old was not present for the rematch, but believes Steward is not the right man to train his son.
“He was listening to people that haven’t got any fighting experience,” he added.
“And at the end of the day, if he was that good of a trainer, SugarHill, his uncle Emanuel would have left him the top job, wouldn’t he?
“He would’ve left him the full business, Johnathan Banks ended up with it. Why didn’t Tommy Hearns have SugarHill? Why didn’t Lenox Lewis have him?
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“Why didn’t all the other Kronk fighters have him? There’s a reason for it.
“Why do all these British fighters have him and sack him?
“Because he’s incapable and I’m the first to say it.
“I don’t mind the man as a man, I’m talking on boxing terms only.
“The man is a very nice man, he’s never done me no harm in any way shape or form.”
Should Fury return, he could target the winner of the July 19 rematch between Usyk and Daniel Dubois or a long-awaited meeting with Anthony Joshua.
