Tyson Fury’s former cutman has set a return timeline for the Gypsy King after he suffered a cut in sparring that has halted his clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
On Friday it was announced that Fury’s long-awaited unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk would be postponed after he suffered a cut following a clash of heads in sparring just two weeks out from the fight.
An image of Fury’s injury later circulated on social media showing a deep laceration over the 35-year-old’s right eye, with reports suggesting he will need 15 stitches to patch it up.
Speaking on Fury’s injury, veteran cutman Jorge Capetillo noted he will need an extended break to heal before returning to sparring.
‘I would say it will take 90 days at least to recover from a cut in sparring.’ Capetillo told Betway.
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Tyson Fury’s clash with Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed after he sustained a cut above his right eye in sparring
Gypsy King’s former cutman insisted he will need an extended spell on the sidelines before returning to action
‘Hopefully the fight can happen in the summer because it’s such unfortunate news. The cut needs to heal really good and then Tyson can get back in action, back in training and get back in camp so it will be at least a few months for sure.
‘Accidents can happen in sparring, and this is what has happened with Tyson so he will need time to heal. It will now reopen during the fight if they continued into the fight so now he needs time out to make sure it doesn’t open up with a first punch from Oleksandr Usyk.’
Fury had previously suffered a significant cut above that same eye during his fight with Otto Wallin back in 2019.
Working his corner that night was Capetillo, who was repeatedly forced into action after Fury was bloodied in the third round.
Capetillo worked diligently to stem the bleeding from the cut that later required 47 stitches as Fury went on to secure victory by a unanimous decision.
Usyk is still hoping to fight on February 17, with Croatian heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic being discussed as a potential opponent for the unified heavyweight champion in Riyadh.
Queensbury Promotions described the incident in Riyadh as ‘freak’, with the blow coming above Fury’s right eye.
Jorge Capetillo famously served in Fury’s corner the night he sustained a serious cut in his victory over Otto Wallin
Fury has had stitches for his latest wound and he will now be sidelined as Usyk seeks a new opponent
‘The cut, which opened above Fury’s right eye, required urgent medical attention and significant stitching, and will obviously require a period of recovery, scuppering any possibility of the fight with Usyk taking place on February 17 in Saudi Arabia,’ a statement said.
A spokesperson added: ‘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.
‘Once the doctors have appraised Tyson’s eye, we will have a better idea of the period of recovery needed.