“I, myself, suffered a cut a week before the fight and did I not hear the end of it from him?” Haye said, in reference to Fury calling him a “p****” on social media back in 2013 before their fight. “Even to this day, I still hear, ‘He only got cut because he just didn’t wanna fight him, you’re scared.’
“I actually remember, at the time, thinking, ‘One day before one of his big fights, he has to suffer this, since he’s been that much of a d*** about it. And here we are.”
Haye is referencing how in September 2013, he was to face Fury at Manchester Arena. One week before the fight, Haye suffered a cut to the head, which needed stitches and a postponement of the fight – which was to be February 2014.
The bout officially was called off that November after he underwent shoulder surgery. Fury was incensed about the news, blasting Haye on social media and claiming his would-be opponent had been making excuses to duck out of the fight.
“I’m absolutely furious but in all honesty, this is exactly what I expected,” Fury said at the time. “Everyone knows I was very suspicious when he pulled out the first time and this confirms to me that he’s always been afraid of me and never wanted this fight.”
For Fury, this injury marks a coincidental twist of fate, as he was expected to face Usyk in Saudi Arabia on February 17, though a new date will have to be announced. In a video that has made its rounds on X, Fury was spotted sparring when he was struck by an errant elbow from his sparring partner, causing a deep and bloody cut right above his right eye.
After announcing the postponement of his fight, Fury released a statement, saying he was “absolutely devasted” that he was injured in training. “I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed,” Fury’s statement read.
“I can only apologise to everyone affected including my own, Team Usyk, the undercard fighters, partners, and fans as well as our hosts and my friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Fury then posted on Instagram, which seemingly is in a different tone than his earlier statement. “Cam’t help getting injured in sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble. I am in fantastic shape,” the “Gypsy King” wrote. “I will reschedule as soon as I can. 2024 is a massive year for team GK (Gypsy King).”
In response to Fury’s post, Alex Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, had a simple message for the 35-year-old. “Wish you soonest recovery,” Krassyuk replied. “God sent you a sign. Think of retirement, brother.”
Despite rumors of retirement and the fact that even Usyk’s promoter is telling him that he needs to hang up his gloves, Fury stated he has no intention of walking off into the sunset just yet. Still, now Fury knows what it is like to have a fight postponed because of a cut above his eye, just like what happened between him and Haye more than a decade prior.