Author: quyen1

Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury has been postponed after the Brit suffered a cut.

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter has exposed Tyson Fury on Instagram Live with an old social media post.

Originally, it was scheduled that Usyk and Fury would enter the ring and fight to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world on 17 February.

However, it was confirmed on Friday evening that the fight had been postponed due to Fury suffering a cut during a sparring session.

Having left a brutal comment on Fury’s social media post, Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk has now exposed the Brit on Instagram Live. You can watch the footage below. The video contains strong language.

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter exposes Tyson Fury on Instagram Live with old social media post
Credit: Instagram/@alex.krassyuk

He said: “Let me read you something. The cut is genuine. Correct you can’t box with the cut. Correct has to be cancelled. That’s why he’s cut so he can pull out. S**t house.

“This is the quote of Tyson Fury back in 2013 when his fight with David Haye was cancelled for the same reason.”

On the back of the postponement, it has been reported that Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic could step in for Fury and fight Usyk on 17 February.

According to talkSPORT’s Michael Benson, Krassyuk also called for Fury to be stripped or vacate his world title.

Benson wrote: “Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk has called for Tyson Fury to be stripped or vacate his WBC heavyweight world title and become a ‘champion in recess’ so Usyk can fight someone else to achieve his undisputed goal.”

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Taking to Instagram, Fury wrote: “Cant help getting injured in sparring but what i can say was Usyk was in trouble i am in fantastic shape. i will resheduel soon as i can. 2024 a massive year for team GK.”

Meanwhile, a statement from Queensberry Prmotions said: “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. Once known we will work diligently with all the stake-holders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible and will of course keep everyone updated with developments.”

The fight could be on.

Oleksandr Usyk could yet defend one of his world heavyweight titles in the coming months even though his fight with Tyson Fury has been postponed.

WBC champion Fury was expected to face WBA, IBF and WBO belt holder Usyk in Saudi Arabia on February 17 – in an event dubbed ‘Ring of Fire’.

However, the bout was called off on Friday after Fury sustained a cut above his right eye during a sparring session.

In a statement, Fury said he was “devastated” by the injury.

“I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed,” said Fury.

“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.”

Fury is now set to be sidelined for a number of months, leaving Usyk to assess his options.

One possibility for the Ukrainian is facing his mandatory challenger for the IBF title, Filip Hrgovic, next.

Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk told Boxing News that talks are ongoing between the two camps and is confident that the fight can be made.

“No, we are just talking,” Krassyuk said, when asked whether a fight between Usyk and Hrgovic was close to being finalised.

“His people reached out saying that Filip Hrgovic is in camp, he was getting prepared for March 8.

“He’s under contract with the Saudi people and he gave an interview to ESPN saying that he’s ready to take the challenge and fight Usyk on February 17 which is good.

“The only thing to satisfy is Hrgovic’s financial demands and the fight is on.”

Hrgovic’s next fight had looked set to be on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou on March 8.

He was originally expected to face Joseph Parker but those plans have since changed, with the New Zealander now set to fight Zhilei Zhang instead.

Filip Hrgovic is mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF title (Image: Getty)

Meanwhile, conspiracy theories have swirled on social media after Fury’s fight with Usyk was postponed.

They have been stoked by members of Usyk’s team, who have accused Fury of attempting the avoid facing the Ukrainian.

However, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn was quick to dismiss those conspiracy claims.

“It looks like a bad cut,” Hearn told iFL TV.

“I’ve seen in the footage that it’s an elbow or something like that. He spars with an open head guard, but he’s sparred thousands of rounds in his career.

“Even in my group chats with my mates saying, ‘That sounds fishy to me’, I’m like ‘Guys, what do you think? He’s not just going to go out and carve himself open with a knife!’.

“He’s trained a whole camp, it’s two weeks away from a monster pay day and a fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

“It’s not a hooky, it’s boxing, it happens, but it’s devastating that it happens to a fight of that magnitude.”

Fury’s sparring partner has reportedly responded.

The sparring partner who allegedly inflicted a ‘freak cut’ on Tyson Fury that caused the postponement of his fight against Oleksandr Usyk has responded, according to a new report.

Fury was forced to pull out of his planned fight against Usyk, which was due to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17, after sustaining the cut in sparring.

Footage of the alleged moment that the cut was inflicted on ‘The Gypsy King’ has since emerged online.

Meanwhile, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren told talkSPORT that the incident occurred on Friday morning whilst Fury was in sparring with a ‘Croatian heavyweight’.

The Croatian heavyweight in question, according to Sky Sports, is understood to be Agron Smakici, who is a professional boxer and has a record of 20-2 at professional level.

Boxing Talk (as per The Sun) claim that, in a text message to a third party following the sparring session, Smakici said: “It was a clear punch so I don’t feel bad.”

SPORTbible has contacted Agron Smakici’s representatives for further comment.

According to reports, Usyk’s team are ‘exploring’ a potential fight against IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic on February 17.

Queensberry Promotions say that Fury will be assessed by doctors before any further steps are taken towards setting a new date for the unification title bout.

In a press release following the announcement that the bout would be postponed, a Queensberry Promotions spokesperson said: “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.

“Once known, we will work diligently with all the stakeholders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible and will of course keep everyone updated with developments.”

Iron Mike’s career went without facing one fighter in particular

Mike Tyson is one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing – but once admitted there was one regret from his career after not facing one man in particular.

Tyson had a total of 58 professional boxing bouts between 1985 and 2005 in a career which spanned three decades and came to a conclusion as he approached his 39th birthday.

In that time, Tyson chalked up 50 wins and just six losses, with an astounding 44 victories on knockout as he demonstrated his stopping power in the ring.

Evander Holyfield beat Tyson twice in the 1990s in back to back defeats, while Briton Lennox Lewis knocked out Iron Mike at a contest in 2002.

Buster Douglas, Danny Williams and Kevin McBride were the other three fighters to have knocked out Tyson in his professional career.

Since retiring as a professional fighter, Tyson has spent his time promoting various websites and companies, launching the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation, launched a boxing promotions firm, published two books and helped to train UFC star Francis Ngannou’s move into the world of boxing.

Despite having a glittering career which spanned some 20 years, there was one big name fighter that Tyson did not end up taking on in the ring and remains his biggest regret.

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Speaking to The Ring Magazine back in 2014, Tyson admitted not taking on George Foreman was a regret from his boxing career.

He said: “I would have liked to fight George Foreman.

“There have been many fans who wondered who was the bigger puncher. I would have liked to put an end to the discussion – one way or the other.”

Foreman’s record stands up alongside Tyson’s, with 81 fights across his career and 76 wins, 68 of which were by knockout and only five losses in a career which spanned from 1969 to 1997, just shy of three decades.

And of course, many will know the retired fighter thanks to the George Foreman Grill, which may well be an appliance in your kitchen.

It certainly would have been an intriguing encounter and one of the great what ifs from boxing history.

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is OFF.

The blockbuster undisputed clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is OFF.

Fury has suffered a cut in training that required stitches, which means his fight against Usyk will no longer go ahead on February 17.

The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ has been forced to pull out of his heavyweight showdown after sustaining a cut in sparring and there is no date for the rescheduled bout at this time.

Fury and Usyk were scheduled to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a fight to determine the undisputed world heavyweight champion.

However, it is understood that the undefeated Brit will now not be able compete this month.

Team Uysk are now working on a potential match against Filip Hrgovic, who is the current IBF mandatory challenger. The Croatian, unbeaten in 17 professional fights, steamrolled Mark de Mori on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card last year.

Fury and Usyk were contracted for an immediate rematch after their first meeting.

But it had been confirmed that the IBF belt would be vacated immediately after their proposed February 17 bout.

As the WBC title holder is now unavailable to fight, the Ukrainian could fulfil his mandatory obligations in the interim before their undisputed showdown is rearranged this year.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk at the pre-fight press conference. Image: Getty

A Queensberry Promotions spokesperson said: “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.

“Once known we will work diligently with all the stake-holders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible and will of course keep everyone updated with developments.”

Fury hasn’t fought since his controversial victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou last October.

Uysk, meanwhile, stopped Daniel Dubois last August in his most recent outing.

Usyk has reacted.

Oleksandr Usyk’s much-anticipated heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury has been called off after the latter suffered a cut in sparring – and the Ukrainian’s initial reaction says everything.

The pair were due to face off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17.

It was scheduled to be a unification fight, with both men putting their heavyweight title belts on the line.

Hype for the bout grew even further earlier this week when it was announced that Fury vs Usyk would be available to buy on pay-per-view on Sky Sports Boxing, TNT Sports and DAZN for the first time in UK boxing history.

But Queensberry Promotions confirmed on Friday that Fury will not be able to take part after suffering a ‘freak cut’ during sparring.

They added that ‘The Gypsy King’ ‘required urgent medical attention and significant stitching’ to treat the cut.

A spokesperson added: “Once the doctors have appraised Tyson’s eye, we will have a better idea of the period of recovery needed.

“Once known we will work diligently with all the stake-holders and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reschedule this fight as soon as possible and will of course keep everyone updated with developments.”

In response to the news of the fight being called off, Usyk’s response has been posted to Instagram by his promoter, Alex Krassyuk.

Instead of a verbal response, though, Krassyuk has shown how Usyk is continuing with his sparring – despite the fight being called off.

‼️ Oleksandr Usyk reacting to the Tyson Fury fight being postponed by continuing with his sparring today…

With no rescheduled date announced for the Fury bout, Usyk could end up fighting a different opponent at short notice.

Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title which the Ukrainian holds, and told Sky Sports that the winner of the Usyk vs Daniel Dubois fight – which Usyk won – must face him next.

That has yet to happen, with ‘The Cat’ having yet to step back in the ring since beating Dubois in August.

But according to Boxing News, a fight between Usyk and Hrgovic is now being ‘actively explored’ for February 17 – with Usyk’s team reportedly being told that Fury’s recovery could take months.

Fury vs Usyk is off – for now.

The much-anticipated heavyweight title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed. But when could the rescheduled bout take place?

The pair were due to do battle in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 17 in a unification title fight.

But Queensberry Promotions confirmed on Friday that Fury would have to pull out of the fight after suffering a ‘freak cut’ during sparring.

‘The Gypsy King’ confirmed that he was ‘devastated’ at the postponement, although his promoters stated that a rescheduled date would be announced in due course.

As far as Usyk is confirmed, Boxing News report that plans are ‘being explored’ for the Ukrainian to take on IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic on February 17 instead.

Whether that goes ahead or not, the fact remains that Fury vs Usyk will not be happening in the near future.

A new date has yet to be announced, with a Queensberry spokesperson stating they ‘will work diligently’ to reschedule the bout ‘as soon as possible’ once doctors have assessed Fury’s eye.

According to Daily Star journalist Chris McKenna, the fight could potentially be rescheduled as early as June.

On X (Twitter), he posted: “Likely earliest that Fury vs Usyk can get rearranged for is June. Hence why Usyk team are exploring late replacement for February 17.”

Likely earliest that Fury v Usyk can get rearranged for is June. Hence why Usyk team are exploring late replacement for February 17.

Meanwhile, cutman Jorge Capetillo has told Betway that it could take ’90 days at least’ for Fury to fully recover from his cut – again indicating that a June date may be realistic.

He said: “The cut needs to heal really good and then Tyson can get back in action, back in training and get back in camp so it will be at least a few months for sure.

“Accidents can happen in sparring, and this is what happened with Tyson so he will need time to heal.

“It will now reopen during the fight if they continued into the fight so now, he needs time out to make sure it doesn’t open up with a first punch from Oleksandr Usyk.”

Credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Lewis Hamilton, F1’s most successful driver of all time, has not won a race since 2021. Additionally, his teammate George Russell seems to be getting the better of him on a more regular basis as of late, which former world champion Mario Andretti believes is down to Mercedes’ problems.

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Hamilton is used to driving a championship-winning car. Between 2014 and 2021, he dominated the world of F1, but the new regulation changes of 2022 turned the Silver Arrows into a midfield outfit. Russell, on the other hand, joined Mercedes in 2022 from Williams- a team that was a perennial backmarker in the young Briton’s time there. For Russell, it was a step up, contrary to Hamilton, who was struggling to drive a car that was competing just for points.

As reported by Racing News 365, Andretti feels that Russell is a challenge to Hamilton because of the latter’s Williams stint. He is driving a more competitive car at Mercedes, allowing him to express himself more freely. As for Hamilton, Mercedes’ downfall has been more of a reality check.

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Andretti said,

“When he joined Mercedes, he thought he had ended up in paradise. Now he sees that he has to fight again and again. However, he is used to that and that is why he now stands in front of Lewis Hamilton seemed to be extraordinary, but we see that he is only human.” 

Andretti’s claims are backed up by the fact that Hamilton faced more difficulties with the car in 2022, when porpoising issues plagued the grid. Fast forward to 2024, Russell seems to be more comfortable with the car than Hamilton is, which has been the case in all three rounds so far.

George Russell shares different experience to Lewis Hamilton’s

After being outperformed by Lewis Hamilton in 2023, George Russell has turned the tables completely this season. Similar to the first two rounds, Russell had a good qualifying performance at the Australian GP, finishing seventh. Hamilton, on the other hand, couldn’t make it to Q2, and started the race from P11.

Following the qualifying session in Melbourne, when Naomi Schiff questioned Russell why his experience was different to Hamilton’s, the former said,

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“I’m just focused on myself and my team and trying to maximise it. I can’t really comment on Lewis’ feelings. Ultimately, we are not quite where we want to be.” 

Russell added by insisting that without problems to their power-unit in Bahrain, he could have competed for the podium. According to him, Jeddah’s results too, were not a clear reflection of their true pace since he felt he could have done better than P7.

Russell concluded by saying that he feels more “confident” and “consistent” with the W-15, something Hamilton evidently doesn’t. So far, the young Briton is 10 points ahead of Hamilton in the standings, although it is still early days in the season.

Credits: IMAGO / PanoramiC

The life of Sergio Perez as an F1 driver hasn’t been one filled with bliss of late. Despite driving the same machinery as Max Verstappen, Perez has largely been unable to reciprocate the Dutchman’s performances. As things stand, it is clear that Perez won’t be able to fight to lead the grid. Addressing the same, F1 expert and former team strategist Bernie Collins recently spoke about whether the Mexican driver is looking to shift focus.

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Appearing as a guest on the podcast ‘The Fast and The Curious,’ Collins revealed she interviewed Perez in the Netherlands a year ago. There, she asked him if he had to shift focus to just finishing second consistently, what would his reaction be?

“He really didn’t seem to take that on board so much.”, said Collins.

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The host then said that he wondered whether Perez would do something similar to what David Coulthard did. He wondered if Perez would enjoy his time at Red Bull, and once their association ended, Perez would hang up his gloves. However, Collins clarified Perez was not cut from the same cloth. He wants to prove his worth to his bosses and continue being a part of F1.

It is no doubt that Perez is a tough guy to shake up. He currently stands as the longest-serving teammate to Verstappen, despite the growing pressure. Even after the struggles of last season, Perez stands firm in his Red Bull shoes. He continues to work hard to impress his Red Bull bosses enough to retain his seat within the team.

Sergio Perez already secured for 2025?

Replacement threats have been looming over Perez for a long time, but it might be time for all such talks to die down. F1 journalist Peter Windsor recently claimed that he heard from “reliable sources” that Perez and Red Bull have signed a contract extension. However, the update remains a rumor, with no official statement making headlines.

Windsor also questioned the timing of the deal, wondering over the decision to rush the deal. He cited the example of Lando Norris already signing a new deal with McLaren, which makes the Perez deal look haphazard.

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Meanwhile, with Carlos Sainz putting in impressive drives, reports emerged of Red Bull looking to sign the Spaniard. Helmut Marko was also appreciative of Sainz’s performances. However, it doesn’t translate to him looking to replace Perez with Sainz.

The 34-year-old has also had a good start to the season and has shown a lot of promise. Hence, Marko claimed that if Perez can continue to improve, there is no need for Red Bull to look for alternatives.

Credits: IMAGO Eibner, IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Toto Wolff headed into the 2020 Sakhir GP with his star driver Lewis Hamilton out, and a young George Russell replacing him for the weekend. In what could have been an emphatic win for Russell and Mercedes, the outing turned out to be disastrous due to a horror pit stop. Wolff, questioning his team, decided to approach race-winner Sergio Perez’s strategist Bernie Collins, and ask her her opinion on what went wrong.

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Collins’ incredible strategy call gave Perez his first-ever F1 win that evening in Sakhir. Mercedes, on the other hand, lost out on the opportunity to win the race despite being the favorites because they fitted the wrong tires in Russell’s car midway into the outing.

A few laps later, Russell pitted again to rectify the situation and then began chasing the win again. However, this time a tire puncture took his moment of glory away from him.

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After the Grand Prix, Collins and the rest of the Racing Point team celebrated with Perez. Four years later, in one of the episodes of the Fast and the Curious Podcast, Collins reveals that Wolff came up to her and asked her if she would have advised him to make the pit-stop that cost Russell the win. In reply, Collins said,

“It felt like a massive vow, respect. You know that he’s asked me would I make that decision.” 

Wolff, one of F1’s most successful team principals ever, was in charge of the sport’s most dominant team back then. Still, they made an error that spoiled an entire weekend in what was otherwise a near-perfect season.

A humble Wolff showed respect to the winning team’s strategist by taking her input in the decision that cost his team. But what did Collins say to Wolff?

Toto Wolff’s self-doubt resolved by Bernie Collins

When the hosts of the Fast and the Curious podcast asked Bernie Collins what she told Toto Wolff, the ex-strategist revealed that she believes that the Mercedes team made the right decision. She stated that she also would have asked Wolff to pit, just like Mercedes’ strategist did on the day.

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“It was the right thing for them to do the pitstop,” said Collins. “Like the strategist doesn’t know the pit-stop is going to go wrong.” 

Had George Russell‘s initial stop gone perfectly, he would have been in pole position to get his first-ever race win. The Briton, who was driving for Williams in 2020, only filled in that weekend for Mercedes because Lewis Hamilton had contracted COVID-19.

Instead of potentially getting his maiden win that day, Russell finished all the way down in P9. In the process, he earned two points for the Silver Arrows, which incidentally were also his first points in F1.