The “Ring of Fire” bout between WBC champion Tyson Fury and WBO, WBA, and IBF titlist Oleksandr Usyk was scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 17. However, it has been postponed after Fury sustained a cut during a sparring session.
Fury(34-0-1, 24KOs) needed emergency medical attention and extensive stitching when the “freak cut” appeared over his right eye.
In his previous four fights, Usyk (21-0, 14KOs) the 37-year old Ukrainian boxer, has triumphed over fighters from England. Prior to these victories, he had points victory over Anthony Joshua in 2020 and Daniel Dubois in August.
“Fury will do anything to not face Usyk. He was hit by a frying pan which he asked for,” said Egis Klimas, Oleksandr Usyk’s manager in media reports. “It is too early to say whether Usyk would wait for a new fight date with Fury or take another bout in the interim. It’s very hot at the moment, we just got this straight from the oven.”
The victor of any rescheduled match between Fury and Usyk has the opportunity to become the first heavyweight champion to hold the title without challenge since Lennox Lewis in 1999 and the first to do so in the four-belt era.
After being knocked out by Francis Ngannou in October of last year, Fury a 35-year old boxer from England bounced back to defeat the former UFC champion by split decision.
“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such a superb condition. I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed,” said Fury in media reports.
“I can only apologize 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,” he added.
“Can’t help getting injured in sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble. I am in fantastic shape. I will reschedule as soon as I can,” said Fury on an instagram post.
(Additional reporting provided by Miriam Onyango)
