Tyson Fury's long-awaited heavyweight showdown with Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed, after the Brit suffered a freak sparring cut during training.
Scheduled for February 18 (NZ time) at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the bout was designed to unite all the main world titles, with Fury holding the WBC belt and Usyk claiming the IBF, WBO and IBO crowns.
The reunification will have to wait, after Fury, 35, suffered a nasty cut above his right eye during sparring. The gash needed "urgent medical attention" and "significant stitching".
"I'm absolutely devastated, after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition," Fury revealed on Twitter. "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."
Two-time Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic bronze medallist David Nyika was due to face a yet-to-be-confirmed opponents on the undercard for his ninth professional fight, hoping to extend his unbeaten record in paid ranks.
Fury's last outing was a controversial split decision against former UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, which saw the 'Gypsy King' knocked to the canvas in the fourth round, but somehow lasted the scheduled 10 rounds for victory.
The Brit subsequently postponed his December 23 fight with Usyk to recover from injuries suffered in the Ngannou bout.
"Whilst this is still breaking news, it is clearly a massive disappointment, after the work that has been done by so many people to finally deliver this historic event to the world," said Queensberry Promotions.
"Once the doctors have appraised Tyson's eye, we will have a better idea of the period of recovery needed. Once known, we will work diligently with all the stakeholders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible, and will of course keep everyone updated with developments."
