Just 24 hours after that February 17 superfight was postponed, we have a new confirmed date for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk.
The two world heavyweight champions had been due to lock horns in Riyadh later this month to crown the first undisputed champion the sport’s marquee weight class since Lennox Lewis back in 1999.
But then on Friday Fury (34-0-1) sustained ‘a freat cut’ over his right eye in sparring, leading to that February date being postponed. He would later have 11 stitches in the cut, which is in the area as the one he suffered during a 2019 win over Otto Wallin in Las Vegas.
Fast forward 24 hours and Fury and Usyk (21-0) appeared on a live stream to announce the new date, which will be Saturday May 18 – again in Saudi Arabia.
Tyson Fury opens up on cut eye
Explaining the injury, Fury said: “I arranged to spar 12 rounds with four different guys.
“In round five I got an elbow in the eye, a split eye, and obviously I’ve been to the hospital and had 11 stitches.
“They have the medical reports, they have everything. Nothing much anybody can do about getting a cut in sparring, s**t happens. I’ve never had one before, first time for everything.”
Klimas sparks Fury row
Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas once again stated his belief that Fury is avoiding the Ukrainian genius, but ‘The Gypsy King’ blasted back in response.
“Why would I not want to fight for the biggest payday of my life and put 10 weeks into a training camp?” he said
“You’ve never had a fight in your life and you’re calling me a coward.
“Never call me a coward again. I’ve had 35 professional fights and been boxing 18 years of my life. I’ve climbed off the canvas 10 times, off the biggest punchers in history to win. Never a coward, never backed down from any man in my life.”
