Tyson Fury told to retire after pulling out of Oleksandr Usyk fight
Oleksandr Usyk's promoter has brutally told Tyson Fury to retire after he pulled out of their undisputed heavyweight title fight.
It was confirmed by Fury's camp on Friday that the 35-year-old Brit had suffered a cut while sparring and wouldn't be facing Usyk in just a fortnight's time. An "absolutely devastated" Fury claimed that he'd been in a "superb condition" ahead of their hotly-anticipated meeting in Saudi Arabia, having prepared to do battle with the Ukrainian "for so long."
"I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye is healed," Fury, who's the reigning WBC champion while Usyk holds the WBA, WBO and IBF belts, vowed.
Following up his statement with a post on Instagram, the Morecambe-based fighter added alongside a photo of himself posing half-naked in the mirror: "Can't help getting injured in sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble. I am in fantastic shape. I will reschedule soon as I can. 2024 [is] a massive year for team GK."
Usyk's promoter, Alex Krassyuk, left a brutal reply to his post, saying: "Wishing you soonest recovery. God sent you a sign. Think of retirement, brother."
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Egis Klimas, Usyk's manager, also vented his frustration, telling Ring Magazine: "Fury is a f***ing coward who will do anything not to face Usyk, and he asked his b**ch to hit him with a frying pan in his brow. You can quote me word for word for that. When the news was brought to Oleksandr, he just smiled. That is all he did. He is too mentally strong to break. I was waiting for this moment."
Fury has made no hints at retiring lately, though, and promoters Queensberry Promotions have explained that once doctors have assessed the cut above his right eye - the same which he injured while facing Otto Wallin in September 2019 - they'll have a "better idea of the recovery period needed."
Queensberry boss Frank Warren told talkSPORT that the cut happened in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Friday morning "in sparring with a Croatian heavyweight who caught his eye with his elbow." Sky Sports report that the fighter in question is southpaw Agron Smakici.
Your turn! Should Tyson Fury hang up his gloves? Join the debate in the comments section.
If Fury's bout with Usyk, 37, does eventually go ahead at a later date, the winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. Fury previously received criticism when he failed to agree terms with Usyk after it was originally proposed for their bout to be at Wembley Stadium last April.
It was then moved to December, only for Fury's clash with former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou in October to again delay his and Uysk's long-awaited meeting. IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic has already declared that he's "ready to step in" and face Usyk.
The 31-year-old Croatian told ESPN: "Let's go, Usyk, you owe me my mandatory shot. It's time to finally face me."
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