The undisputed heavyweight title fight between WBC champion Tyson Fury and unified champ Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed indefinitely because of a large cut Fury sustained on his right eyelid in training for the scheduled Feb. 17 bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Chris Mannix of DAZN, which was slated to broadcast the fight, broke the news on X. It was later confirmed by promoter Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. In a statement, Queensberry said the cut needed to heal before the bout could be rescheduled. Later, though there was talk of Usyk taking on Filip Hrgovic, his IBF mandatory, on Feb. 17, it was decided to cancel the card altogether.
"I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition," Fury said in a statement released by Queensbery. "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 apologize 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 VS USYK STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/z7nf4Q3N70
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) February 2, 2024
This cut is in a similar spot to where Fury was cut when he fought Otto Wallin in Las Vegas on Sept. 14, 2019, at T-Mobile Arena. He needed more than 50 stitches to close that cut.
It's a devastating blow for all involved because it would have provided boxing with its first undefeated and undisputed heavyweight champion since 1992, when Riddick Bowe defeated Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas to become undisputed champion. Fury is 34-0-1, with only a 2018 draw with Deontay Wilder marring his record. Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, is 21-0 with 14 KOs.