What is everyone saying about Tyson Fury withdrawal from Oleksandr Usyk fight?
Just two weeks away from the biggest heavyweight fight of the century and fight fans were cruelly subjected to the most disappointing news when it was revealed Tyson Fury had suffered from a cut in sparring, thwarting the undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk scheduled for February 17.
Footage has circulated on social media of Fury clinching with his sparring partner with his left hand but throwing a right hook to the body at the same time, then receiving a short left hook across the head on the inside that is turned over so much it appears that the elbow connects. Fury then walks back to his corner wiping his right eye.
Fight fans can be very fickle and unforgiving, and this was put on full display on the evening of February 2, with some comments suggesting it was all planned to allow “The Gypsy King” more time to prepare and even allegations of opening the cut up himself to get out of the fight altogether.
Here’s just a few of the reactions shared on the X platform below:
“They planned this to happen.”
“To all those saying ‘the cut is genuine’ ‘it’s not his fault’, yes it is a cut but it is HIS fault. Why wasn’t he wearing a face protector?! Why was he sparring 2 weeks out?! Why didn’t he just fight Usyk last year?! Wake up!”
“All planned out for more preparation, very obvious.”
“Looks staged to me. As if the sparring partner is gonna throw an elbow like that when helping him prepare for one of the most lucrative fights in boxing history.”
“Postponed? LOL Fury is a coward that is afraid to defend his belts. He needs to be stripped of the titles. Heavyweight boxing is a joke these days!”
In response to the sparring footage which shows a left hand landing on the inside:
“That sparring partner got a bonus bigger than all of his fight purses put together and a huge thank you from Team Fury.”
“No blood, no elbow. Fury isn’t a champion. He’s ducking Usyk. Expect the retirement announcement again soon.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn was bewildered by some of the comments made, stating, “Absolutely so ridiculous, I mean you would have to say that Tyson Fury and his team have asked a doctor to cut his eye open to get out of a fight is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!
“You know, you’ve seen the injury, freak injury. He wears an open headguard… it can happen. Unfortunately it’s happened two weeks before one of the biggest fights in boxing.”
However, presenter Chris Lloyd was not so understanding, “Unfortunately when you’ve lied about your disappearance for 2 years, wild boars and the Carefoot bribe, 7 mill to the homeless, numerous pullouts and your own height, then you really can’t get annoyed when people don’t trust you. It’s not about the cut, it’s about credibility.”
The last undisputed heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, was swift to support his fellow Brit though, “Tough break for Tyson Fury. This cut is in the same area as the one he got in the Wallin fight. He’s probably gonna need about 6 stitches and 3 months to heal. The saga continues…”