“Absolutely devastated”
The mega boxing match celebrates the extra-long run-up
February 13, 2024, 12:06 p.m
Tyson Fury is injured twice, the fight is postponed twice: the spectacle of the heavyweight boxer against Oleksandr Usyk will have to wait even longer. This is reminiscent of the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” fight from 1974. There are even doubts as to whether the duel will even take place.
Eleven stitches in the hospital concealed what was probably one of the most serious injuries in the history of boxing. The cut above his right eye in training not only had an impact on Tyson Fury’s well-being, but also on the biggest heavyweight fight in recent decades. The long-awaited duel between the Brit and the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk had to be postponed again due to the injury.
“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long,” Fury was quoted as saying by the AP news agency. He feels “bad” for everyone involved in this big event. “I will work diligently towards a new date,” the 35-year-old continued. Instead of on Saturday, the fight is now scheduled to take place on May 18th (DAZN) in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.
Two cuts prevent attachment
Both were originally scheduled to fight on December 23rd. However, Fury also suffered a cut in the exhibition fight against Francis Ngannou in October and needed a break. Previously, disagreements regarding the monetary distribution almost led to the negotiations being broken off. Usyk even missed the birth of his fourth child due to preparation for the February date. Many fans are wondering whether the fight won’t end completely.
“All theories that exist about this belong in the rumor mill. If Tyson Fury wasn’t fit for this first date, then he will certainly be fit for the second. But a cut injury can always happen,” said boxing expert and manager Bernd Bönte. The Croatian Agron Smakici, who was sent to the ground a year ago by the currently best German heavyweight Agit Kabayel, gave Fury the wound. He said he had never suffered a cut in sparring.
Given the magnitude of the test of strength, no management would risk dealing with such a fresh injury. “It’s logical that you shouldn’t go into a fight like this with an injury to your face,” said Bönte. “The tear has been stitched up, but it has to heal, otherwise it could burst open again with the first blow and bring about a quick end to the fight.”
Winner combines all world championship titles
The reward for the winner is great. For the first time since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago, either Fury or Usyk can become the so-called “Undisputed Champion” in the premier weight class. The winner combines all major heavyweight world championship titles from the most important associations. Fury holds the WBC belt, Usyk the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO titles. Because of this constellation alone, boxing fans around the world are longing for the duel. Promoter Frank Warren spoke of the “biggest boxing event of the century”.
“This is certainly the biggest fight in many years,” said Bönte. The Klitschkos’ former manager added: “Many fans don’t necessarily know the lightweight world champion, but everyone knows the heavyweight world champion.”
Fury’s injury is reminiscent of the postponement of the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” fight in 1974, when George Foreman only fought Muhammad Ali a few weeks later due to a cut injury – and ended up with a knockout. The cut wearer could lose again in 2024. Many experts see Usyk, who is technically adept and much more agile, ahead. The Ukrainian side is all the more pressing for the fight. Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas called Fury a “coward”. The counterattack didn’t take long to arrive, Fury rumbled that he should never be called that again. The quiet Usyk simply said at a joint press conference that he had to smile when he heard about the injury.
“I want to become the undisputed champion”
In any case, it’s a lot of money. According to several media reports, Fury will receive more than 100 million euros, while Usyk will receive significantly less. “Fury is very volatile, but at the end of the day he also wants the fight of fights. The sums that are being rumored are huge,” said Bönte. “Money is just a side effect,” Usyk told the British Sun. “I just want to fight, I want to become the undisputed champion.”
The unconventional Brit Fury is considered a positive, crazy entertainer who creates problems for his opponents with his reach. In the past, he has repeatedly struggled outside the ring with problems such as depression and drug use. In 2015, Fury surprisingly defeated Wladimir Klitschko and became world champion. He later renounced all titles, returning in 2018 and reclaiming the WBC title. The 37-year-old Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022 and took the world championship belt from him.
Now the boxing world is looking to the new date in Riyadh. And continues to worry about whether the duel will take place. “In individual sports there is always a small question mark because injuries can occur during preparation and tough training camps,” said Bönte. The expert added: “The only way to be sure is when Michael Buffer calls both Usyk and Fury into the ring on May 18th.”