Tyson Fury will have surgery on an elbow injury which could delay his undisputed title clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
The 'Gypsy King' made a successful return to the ring with a dominant stoppage victory over heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He intended to get rounds under his belt and did so, with his potential upcoming rival watching on at ringside in hope of stepping up to the plate early in 2023.
Usyk and Fury were involved in a heated altercation after the fight, where Fury screamed in his rival's face and vowed to "end him" in a mega showdown next year. But it appears Fury will now have a delay with the 'Gypsy King' telling ESPN: "I've got to maybe have surgery on my right elbow. I had the left one done, so I've got to have it done. It will take about six-to-eight weeks to heal. We'll see when we can be ready for this fight."
It is likely the damage was suffered prior to his win over Chisora clash. Despite the possibility of a potential delay, Fury anticipates that he can still return to the ring in March or April for the fight, providing there are no hiccups with the procedure.
Fury walked to the ring after an absence which stretched back to April when he ousted Dillian Whyte in his last title defence. He accepted a voluntary defence against Chisora which was extremely one-sided, with Fury showing he was levels above his former two-time rival.
The 34-year-old had already conquered 'WAR' on two previous occasions in 2011 and 2014, and he proved too much for the brave fighter who now looks almost certain to hang up his gloves. Fury's attention immediately switched to Usyk who was heckling his fellow champion throughout the bout.
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With Usyk seemingly unmoved, Fury screamed in his face: "Usyk you are next you little b****." You are getting it you little p****. I am not a bodybuilder. You sucker I am going to do you as well gappy teeth. You ugly little man. Let's get it on. You may laugh but I will end it now."
An undisputed showdown looked close to coming to fruition after Usyk outboxed Anthony Joshua in their August rematch, but he instead returned home to Ukraine for a period of recovery. Initial plans eyed a fight in Saudi Arabia just one day after the World Cup final in neighbouring Qatar, but the lucrative Middle Eastern bout will be on hold for now.
