Fury and Usyk were due to fight in a highly-anticipated duel in two weeks’ time. However, an announcement from Fury’s camp last week confirmed the event, which was due to take place in Saudi Arabia, is postponed until Fury’s wound has recovered.
The 35-year-old had been preparing for the bout in Saudi Arabia since December and maintains that he had been in good shape. That is despite concerns – which arose prior to his narrow victory over Francis Ngannou prior to Christmas – that not all was well in Fury’s camp.
Usyk’s team were frustrated by the postponement, prompting Saudi officials to intervene. In a fiery live chat hosted by YouTube channel The MMA Hour, Fury was joined by Saudi Arabia’s chairman of General Authority for Entertainment, Turki Al-Sheikh.
Al-Sheikh, who is also an advisor at the royal court, declared that the rescheduled fight will take place on May 18. The 42-year-old rubbished claims from Usyk’s team that Fury was being a “coward” declaring that he has postponed hospital appointments to ensure the fight goes ahead.
Announcing that the fight would be postponed, Fury said last week: “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.”
Fury and his promoters, Queensburry, later revealed the extent of his eye injury. A deep and painful wound right above the fighter’s right eye had opened during training.
He confirmed that the injury occurred during a sparring session with Croatian southpaw Agron Smakici. Al-Sheikh confirmed that the entire card for February 17 in Saudi Arabia will be postponed, with even bigger fights scheduled to take place on May 18.
Usyk ended the call by wishing Fury the best of luck with his recovery. The Ukrainian has been preparing for the fight in Spain and says he will continue to train.