The long-anticipated boxing match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed heavyweight title has been postponed. The two boxers were set to meet in a ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 17, but Fury was forced to withdraw due to a sparring injury.
Fury confirmed the news on social media following multiple reports about the postponement of the fight. The 35-year-old Fury earned a cut just above his right eye and required “urgent medical attention and significant stitching.”
“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition,” Fury said in a statement provided by his promotion. “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 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.”
The fight between Fury, who holds the WBC belt, and Usyk, who is the reigning WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion, was years in the making. At one point, it seemed like it would never happen, but the money and the prestige that came with their bout was eventually too tempting for either fighter to pass.
The new date for the fight is yet to be determined, although some reports indicate that it could happen in June. If it happens, the boxing world will receive its first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belts era.
