His excellency Turki Alalshikh has revealed a secret about the postponement of Tyson Fury’s undisputed title clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury and Usyk were set to face each other Saudi Arabia on February 17 to unify the division for the first time since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in March 1999.
However, the Gypsy King suffered a severe cut above his right eye on Friday while sparring, causing the bout to be postponed until May 18.
Alalshikh, Fury and Usyk appeared on The MMA Hour With Ariel Helwani on Saturday evening to announce the new date for the undisputed fight.
When talking about the new date, Alalshikh revealed a secret about the postponement of the original date.
His excellency Turki Alalshikh (above) has revealed a secret about the postponement of Tyson Fury ‘s undisputed title clash with Oleksandr Usyk
Fury and Usyk were set to face each other Saudi Arabia on February 17 to unify the division for the first time since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in March 1999
However, the Gypsy King suffered a severe cut above his right eye on Friday while sparring, causing the bout to be postponed until May 18
He explained how Fury wanted to go ahead with the February 17 date despite having to have 15 stitches to close up the cut above his eye.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the MMA hour, Alalshikh said: ‘I want to tell you something that is a secret. Tyson doesn’t want me to tell it.
‘He wanted to fight on the 17th even with the cut and I said ‘I am not crazy to put you in the ring with this cut. It will be a circus, not a fight.’
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, Fury took to social media to say: ‘Cant help getting injured in sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble. I am in fantastic shape. I will reschedule soon as I can. 2024 a massive year for team GK.’
Queenberry also shared a statement from Fury, reading: ‘I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition. 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 apologise 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.
Tyson Fury shared his phenomenal body transformation on social media after his undisputed title clash with Usyk was postponed