06 February 2024 , 14:38
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Tyson Fury has showed off his stitched eye four days after pulling out of his Oleksandr Usyk undisputed fight.
Fury was scheduled to fight Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world titles on February 17, but was forced to withdraw on just over two weeks' notice after being cut in sparring. The Brit needed 11 stitches to fix up the cut above his right eye and video footage later emerged of the exact moment the incident occurred.
Croatian heavyweight Agron Smakici was responsible for the cut and he played down initial reports that said he "didn't feel bad" about the fight being cancelled. Smakici insisted the incident was accidental and admitted it may have been an elbow that cut Fury, although he meant for it to be a punch.
Tyson Fury shows off his stitched up eye four days onWhat are your thoughts on Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk being postponed? Let us know in the comments section below
The undisputed fight has been pushed back until May 18 and Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh has promised to fine Fury or Usyk £10million of their own money if they pull out. "I’ve guaranteed both fighters 10 million if someone has escaped the fight. I also guarantee another big fight on the same night," Alalshikh said on The MMA Hour.
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"I will make fans around the world know if someone is scared for this fight. If Usyk is scared I will call for [Anthony] Joshua. If Tyson is scared I will call for another fighter that Usyk wants. I don’t want them to fight in front of the fans but on the 18th May we will have an answer for this."
Fury had been training out in Saudi Arabia since New Year's Eve for the fight whilst Usyk set up shop in Spain and had been there for several months. Rumours were circulating about Fury having a disastrous training camp with former world champion Johny Nelson claiming he was being 'turned over' in sparring.
The Brit rubbished these rumours and insisted his preparations were going as planned by stating: "I was very disappointed, I've been in Saudi Arabia five weeks training and everything was going fantastic. It’s a cut that you can’t help and these things happen in camp sometimes. There's nothing that anybody can do, It’s god's will."