How Does Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk Postponement Affect Jai Opetaia Vs Mairis Briedis 2?
Tyson Fury’s fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia has been postponed due to a cut he received during sparring, according to organizers Queensberry Promotions on Friday.
In a Saudi Arabian fight, Fury and Usyk were scheduled to compete for four heavyweight crowns.
Three of the biggest UK stations were going to compete for viewers for the first time ever.
The event’s rights were acquired by DAZN, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports, who also secured a fantastic lineup of presenters and analysts.
Egis Klimas, manager of Oleksandr Usyk, has labelled Tyson Fury as a "f*cking coward" following the postponement of Fury's fight with Usyk 😲#FuryUsyk | #TysonFury | #BoxingNews pic.twitter.com/0nV85708Ul
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) February 2, 2024
In response to fans who were eager to witness the much-anticipated unification match, Fury issued an apology and said that the £100 million Fight of the Century will not now take place on February 17.
“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition,” Fury remarked in reference to his injuries.
“I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed.
Oleksandr Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk leaving a comment on Tyson Fury's Instagram post after the fight was postponed… pic.twitter.com/DD9XRd4T0D
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 2, 2024
“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.”
How Does Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk Postponement Affect Jai Opetaia Vs Mairis Briedis 2?
Most members of the media had already reserved their rooms and flights for this fight with little over two weeks to go.
Since cuts and injuries are always a possibility in boxing, both sides will be eager to reschedule the bout, maybe for the summer. What does that signify, though, for the heavyweight scene?
There are rumors that Croatian Filip Hrgovic, Oleksandr Usyk’s obligatory opponent for the IBF title, may take Tyson Fury’s place.
Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis 2: Tyson Fury cut postpones Oleksandr Usyk showdown https://t.co/mS9VTEJfw3 pic.twitter.com/3VAWT1mLbM
— Ron Bohning (@RonBohning) February 3, 2024
Then, on March 8, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will fight in Riyadh. The organizers in Saudi Arabia intended for the victor of that match to contend for the indisputable championship.
Perhaps this is just a little bump in the road, but bureaucracy and politics have stopped big fights from happening in recent years – fans have become used to disappointment and will be greatly pessimistic about seeing Fury v Usyk.
If Zurdo does fight for the WBA next, it will be Mairis Briedis vs Jai Opetaia 2 for the vacant IBF.
So we're getting exactly the same fight for the same title as we would've got if Opetaia wasn't stripped.
If Opetaia and Zurdo win, DAZN would control 2 belts at Cruiserweight. https://t.co/xXvkRZv8Gw
— EverythingBoxing (@EverythingBoxi2) January 13, 2024
It has been claimed that the undisputed light heavyweight combat between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol has been scheduled on June 1 by Saudi officials. This might lead to a possible doubleheader with the heavyweight title fight.
In the meanwhile, may Opetaia vs. Briedis 2 end up on a different card?
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