Tyson Fury’s heavyweight unification bout against Oleksandr Usyk has been POSTPONED and will NOT take place on February 17, as Gypsy King suffers a severe cut in sparring ‘which needed 15 stitches’

Tyson Fury’s blockbuster heavyweight unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed after the Gypsy King suffered a nasty cut in sparring.

Fury suffered a severe cut above his right eye on Friday while sparring, which has been labelled by his promotion team as a ‘freak cut’.

The wound required stitches, leading to the postponement of the undisputed heavyweight contest.

‘I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight so long and being in such superb condition,’ a dejected Fury said.

‘I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed.

WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT 

Fury (left) will no longer fight Oleksandr Usyk on February 17 after getting cut in sparring

Fury has been sparring Moses Itauma (7-0) Kevin Lerena (30-2) and Alexis Barriere (11-0)

Fury had stitches for the wound and he will now be sidelined as Usyk seeks a new opponent

‘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.’

The Telegraph report that an accidental head clash was behind the cut to Fury, causing him to need 15 stitches to patch it up.

Usyk is still hoping to box on that February 17, with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic named as a possible opponent but any clash with Fury is now on ice.

Queensbury Promotions described the incident in Riyadh as ‘freak’, with the blow coming above Fury’s right eye. 

‘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. 

Fury apologised in a statement and said he has been left ‘absolutely devastated’ by the injury