Tyson Fury forced to postpone boxing showdown with Usyk after ‘freak cut’

The world heavyweight unification fight between Tyson Fury and ­Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed just 15 days before it was due to take place after the British boxer sustained a “freak cut” during a sparring session in Riyadh.

The eagerly anticipated bout between WBC champion Fury and his Ukrainian rival, the WBA, IBF and WBO champion, was set to take place on 17 February in Saudi Arabia but has now been put on hold until a date yet to be determined.

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Queensberry promotions posted a picture of Fury showing what appears to be a large cut above his right eye. It was accompanied by a statement saying the wound required “urgent medical attention and significant stitching, and will obviously require a period of recovery, scuppering any possibility of the fight with Usyk taking place”.

A spokesperson for the promoter said: “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. 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.”

Fury said: “I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such 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. 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.”

Later Fury posted a picture of himself topless on Instagram with the words: “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 soon as I can. 2024 a massive year for [me].”

Frank Warren, who runs Queensberry, told TalkSport the cut happened on Friday morning “in sparring with a Croatian heavyweight who caught his eye with his elbow”.

Fury’s last outing was October’s fraught split-decision victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Usyk’s camp expressed scepticism about the news. The Ukrainian’s manager Egis Klimas told Sky Sports that Fury “will do anything to not face Usyk” and suggested that maybe the Briton was “hit by a frying pan which he asked for”.

Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk also replied to Fury’s Instagram post with the comment: “Wish you soonest recovery. God sent you a sign. Think of retirement, brother.”