Boxing fans are wondering if this is the moment that caused the ‘freak’ cut above Tyson Fury’s eye, leading to the postponement of his heavyweight unification match against Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury stunned the sport when it was revealed he had suffered a serious laceration above his right eye while sparring, rendering him unfit to compete as scheduled on February 17.
A devastated Fury apologized to Usyk and his team before grainy footage of the sparring surfaced online, claiming to show the decisive blow the Gypsy King landed that destroyed his eye.
Fury is seen sparring before taking a bad inside uppercut, before complaining about the problem area above the eye and walking away.
The footage remains unconfirmed and other reports claim that Fury accidentally had a clash of heads, causing the nasty gash.
WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW
A video of Tyson Fury sparring has fans wondering if this is how he suffered his latest injury
Fury complains of a cut above his right eye in the grainy clip that emerged online
This is the nasty tear above Fury’s right eye that has postponed the fight with Oleksandr Usyk
“I’m absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such great shape,” said a dejected Fury.
‘I feel sorry for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work hard on the new date once the eye has healed.
“I can only apologize to all those 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.”
Usyk still hopes to box on February 17, with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic mentioned as a possible opponent, but any clash with Fury is now on ice.
Fury added to his statement by posting a mirror selfie on Instagram, with the caption: ‘I can’t help but get hurt sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble, I’m in a fantastic form. i will resheduel (sic) as soon as possible. 2024 will be a great year for team GK.”
Queensbury Promotions described the incident in Riyadh that led to the injury as ‘bizarre’, with the blow coming above Fury’s right eye.
Fury sparring with Moses Itauma (7-0) Kevin Lerena (30-2) and Alexis Barriere (11-0)
Fury needed stitches for the wound and he will now be sidelined while Usyk looks for a new opponent
“The cut, which opened above Fury’s right eye, required emergency medical attention and many stitches and will obviously require a period of recovery, ruling out any possibility of a fight with Usyk on February 17 in Saudi Arabia,” a statement said.
A spokesperson added: ‘While this is still breaking news, it is clearly a huge disappointment, after the work that has gone into so many people to finally bring this historic event to the world.
“Once doctors have assessed Tyson’s eye, we will have a better idea of the recovery period required.
“Once known, we will work hard with all stakeholders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this battle as quickly as possible and will of course keep everyone informed of developments.”
Usyk (pictured) is still hoping to box on that February 17 date, with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic mentioned as a possible opponent for the Ukrainian heavyweight
It’s the latest setback for the showdown between the pair, who were set to fight this time last year before both men walked away from negotiations – despite Usyk agreeing to a 70-30 split in favor of the Gypsy King – when Fury asked to remove the rematch clause.
There may well be a sense of deja vu for Fury and his camp, considering it’s the same right eye that required 47 stitches in 2019 after a nasty cut inflicted by Otto Wallin.
Fury was caught by a series of Wallins hooks and was left with a nasty laceration above his right eye.
Just a few hours ago, promoter Eddie Hearn addressed claims that Australian cruiserweight Jai Opetaia dropped Fury during their sparring session last month.
