WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury 34-0-1 (24) has withdrawn from his unification bout with WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine champion Oleksandr Usyk 21-0 (14) after suffering a cut over his right eye in sparring.
The bout was set to headline a world championship tripleheader at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17.
Team Fury distributed a blurry photograph of the injury that showed a deep cut over the 35-year-old Brit’s right eye that will obviously require numerous stitches and some time on the sidelines to heal.
“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition,” Fury said. “I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed.
“I can only apologise to everyone affected including my own team, Team Usyk, the undercard fighters, partners and fans as well as our hosts and my friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows the moment Fury sustained the cut. In the clip he is hit with an errant elbow by a sparring partner and the training session is immediately halted.
“Can’t help getting injured in sparring, but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble,” Fury posted to his Instagram account. “I am in fantastic shape. I will reschedule [as] soon as I can. 2024 a massive year for team GK [Gypsy King].”
The cut is in approximately the same position as the severe lacerations he suffered in his bout against Otto Wallin nine years ago that required 47 stitches to repair.
“Whilst this is still breaking news it is clearly a massive disappointment, after the work that has been done by so many people to finally deliver this historic event to the world,” Queenberry Promotions said in a statement.
“Once the doctors have appraised Tyson’s eye, we will have a better idea of the period of recovery needed.
“Once known, we will work diligently with all the stakeholders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible and will of course keep everyone updated with developments.”
With Fury out of the bout, promoters are scrambling to find a late replacement for 37-year-old Ukrainian southpaw Usyk.
Undefeated Croatian hard man Filip ‘El Animal’ Hrgovic 17-0 (14) has put his hand up for the assignment. The 31-year-old, who is the current IBF number one contender, says he is ready, willing and able to step in on a fortnight’s notice.
“Now that Fury has gotten injured, I’m ready to step in and fight Usyk,” Hrgovic said. “Let’s go Usyk, you owe me my mandatory shot. It’s time to finally face me.”
Watch this space.
