The much anticipated undisputed fight is now around 12 weeks away but Tyson Fury has been told that the date ‘may be too soon’ given the cut he sustained just days ago.
The four-belt clash between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk was initially meant to be on February 17 in Saudi Arabia. An injury inflicted by a Croatian heavyweight on the WBC and Lineal champion in sparring, however, put a dampener on things and the new date is May 18.
There has been plenty of collective worry in the boxing world that Fury might not ever fight again after the setback of the cut and in light of him having struggled to come back from injury once before when he was due to rematch Wladimir Klitschko.
The man himself was moved to deny any speculation of his retirement yesterday but has now been told the new date might come around too quickly.
Speaking to Boxing Social, former fighter turned pundit Spencer Oliver is of that view.
“I was disappointed we haven’t got the undisputed fight. Tyson Fury is not a coward, forget that, the cut was legit and it was unfortunate and it happens.
“He spars with an open head guard and he got cut, the eye opened and it got postponed, it’s one of those unfortunate things but I think May 18 may come a bit soon if I’m honest.
“He’s got to go through the procedure of letting it heal, then go through the sparring again before he fights and it will always be a vulnerable area, so let’s hope we get it.”