Featured Image Credit: Getty / Instagram/Alex Krassyuk
Oleksandr Usyk’s much-anticipated heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury has been called off after the latter suffered a cut in sparring – and the Ukrainian’s initial reaction says everything.
The pair were due to face off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17.
It was scheduled to be a unification fight, with both men putting their heavyweight title belts on the line.
Hype for the bout grew even further earlier this week when it was announced that Fury vs Usyk would be available to buy on pay-per-view on Sky Sports Boxing, TNT Sports and DAZN for the first time in UK boxing history.
But Queensberry Promotions confirmed on Friday that Fury will not be able to take part after suffering a ‘freak cut’ during sparring.
They added that ‘The Gypsy King’ ‘required urgent medical attention and significant stitching’ to treat the cut.
A spokesperson added: “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 stake-holders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible and will of course keep everyone updated with developments.”
In response to the news of the fight being called off, Usyk’s response has been posted to Instagram by his promoter, Alex Krassyuk.
Instead of a verbal response, though, Krassyuk has shown how Usyk is continuing with his sparring – despite the fight being called off.
With no rescheduled date announced for the Fury bout, Usyk could end up fighting a different opponent at short notice.
Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title which the Ukrainian holds, and told Sky Sports that the winner of the Usyk vs Daniel Dubois fight – which Usyk won – must face him next.
That has yet to happen, with ‘The Cat’ having yet to step back in the ring since beating Dubois in August.
But according to Boxing News, a fight between Usyk and Hrgovic is now being ‘actively explored’ for February 17 – with Usyk’s team reportedly being told that Fury’s recovery could take months.
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