Tyson Fury has launched into a furious rant at Oleksandr Uysk’s manager Egis Klimas after he accused Fury of cowardice.
Fury and Usyk’s long-awaited clash to determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion in more than two decades was postponed earlier this week after Fury sustained a cut above his right eye in sparring.
Footage later emerged of a sparring session where the Gypsy King appeared to be hit with a glancing elbow that could have caused the laceration that required multiple stitches.
In the aftermath of the postponement, Usyk’s longtime manager branded Fury a coward, and claimed he had intentionally sustained the injury in order to avoid facing off against the Ukrainian.
‘Tyson Fury is a f****** coward who will do anything not to face Usyk, and he asked his b**** to hit him with a frying pan in his brow,’ Klimas said.
Tyson Fury hit back at Oleksandr Usyk’s manager after he claimed Fury had intentionally tried to get out of their heavyweight clash
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, accused Fury of being a coward for pulling out of the fight
The bout, originally set for February 17, was postponed this week after Fury sustained a cut in sparring
The undisputed title fight will now instead take place on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
‘You can quote me word for word for that. When the news was brought to Oleksandr, he just smiled. That is all he did. He is too mentally strong to break.’
With the clash now officially rescheduled for May 18, Usyk and Klimas appeared alongside Fury on the MMA Hour, with Fury incensed with the manager’s comments.
‘Egis, never call me a coward again,’ Fury said. ‘I’ve had 35 professional fights, I’ve been boxing 18 years of my life.
‘I’ve climbed off the canvas 10 times off the biggest punches in history to win. Never a coward, never backed down from any man in my life.
‘And if any man calls my wife a b**** I’ll take his f***ing teeth out.’
Klimas denied that he had made any comments about Fury’s wife, and Tyson apologised but insisted that his experience inside the ring precludes him from claims of cowardice.
‘I’ve boxed all my life,’ Fury continued.
‘You call me a coward. Never boxed in your life. How am I a coward? I’ve had 35 professional fights I’m a two time undefeated heavyweight champion. I’m the second longest reigning lineal champion in history. How am I coward?’