The Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk boxing fight that is set for February 17 in Saudi Arabia is no longer happening after the former sustained a training injury. Thankfully, it has just been postponed and will instead be pushed back to June.
During his sparring training, Fury received a cut over his right eye, which ultimately led to the decision to postpone the match. Queensbury, Fury’s co-promoter, confirmed the move in a recent post.
“WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury has been forced to postpone his fight with unified Champion Oleksandr Usyk after sustaining a freak cut during a sparring session in Riyadh,” Queensbury announced. “The cut, which opened above Fury’s right eye, 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 on 17th February in Saudi Arabia.”
According to a spokesperson, the parties are now working to reschedule the fight, but no exact date has been mentioned. Yet, according to a post from ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez, the fight could be rescheduled in June. While this is good news, it remains uncertain as a spokesperson stressed that it will still depend on Fury’s recovery.
“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,” the statement reads. “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.”
