It’s official, Tyson Fury has withdrawn from what would have been one of the biggest fights in heavyweight history, and fans around the globe have given their reaction to the news.
Last week, rumours that Fury was knocked down by Jai Opetaia were rampant, with the cruiserweight leaving camp after just five rounds with ‘The Gypsy King’, but stating the decision was to better prepare for his own bout, rather than due to any drama with Fury.
However, whether those whispers were true or not, Fury’s intense sparring has led to the collapse of the bout, sporting a gruesome cut atop of the official statement released by Queensberry Promotions, which confirmed the deeply devastating news.
Some fans shared Fury’s disappointment, with one in particular pointing out that it was in the same place as the infamous gash he suffered in his bloodied battle with Otto Wallin and admitting his concern at the cut.
Although, others argued that the WBC champion is not as faultless as is being portrayed, questioning why he may have been sparring without headgear when the fight is just two weeks away.
Yet, on social media, there is a video doing the rounds that shows the punch that caused the cut and in the clip, Fury is wearing headgear, but the legitimacy of the footage remains unknown, as does the name of the sparring partner who may well have put an end to the fight.
🎥FURY CUT FOOTAGE
Footage of the punch that allegedly cut Tyson Fury in training pic.twitter.com/sgjuBqCFab
— NoSmokeBoxing (@NoSmokeBoxing) February 2, 2024
There was talk that Usyk could still headline the February 17th card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with IBF #1, Filip Hrgovic, the name being suggested as a late notice replacement, but it has since been confirmed that the entire event will be postponed to a later date.