Tyson Fury's threat of £8million fine the 'right thing to do' with verdict given on postponement

Tyson Fury's threat of £8million fine the 'right thing to do' with verdict given on postponement

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 08/02/2024

- 15:03

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face a huge financial penalty if one of them pulls out of the rescheduled heavyweight unification fight.

Boxing icon Oscar De La Hoya believes Saudi Arabia sport's chief Turki Alalshikh has done "the right thing" by threatening an £8milllion fine to either fighter if the heavyweight unification fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is postponed again.

Fury and Usyk were set to go toe-to-toe this month in the first heavyweight undisputed clash this century.


But the Gypsy King suffered a huge cut above his eye in sparring that forced the fight to be postponed.

There was originally fears that Fury would be out of action until the end of the year, however, a new date was quickly agreed between the two for May 18.

Tyson Fury pulled out of the first fight with a cut

Tyson Fury pulled out of the first fight with a cut

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Both fighters now appear to have returned home to rest before returning to training camp in a few weeks.

Fury will have to be extra cautious not to open up the wound again to further delay the fight.

Alalshikh announced either fighter will be forced to pay around £8m to their opponent should they pull out of the rescheduled fight.

De La Hoya feels the financial penalty would be fair and sided with Fury for pulling out after suffering the cut.

"I think that's the right thing to do," he told Pro Boxing Fans.

"You're putting up real money and it's a real penalty that's going to cost whoever pulls out.

"The Fury cut is a real cut. It's fricking deep.

"He did the right thing. When you're a fighter, you want to be there up in the ring 100 per cent."

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face a fine if they pull out the next fight

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk face a fine if they pull out the next fight

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Fury's fight with Usyk will now take place after Anthony Joshua faces Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

The two-time heavyweight champion follows in the footsteps of Fury in going up against Ngannou in a crossover fight.

The MMA icon nearly pulled off a huge upset against Fury when he knocked the Gypsy King to the floor in October last year.

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Oscar De La Hoya feels a fine is fair for both fighters

Oscar De La Hoya feels a fine is fair for both fighters

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But De La Hoya, who won 10 world titles in six different weight divisions, doesn't see anything other than a win for Joshua.

"I think AJ's like laser-focused right now," De La Hoya added.

"I think Ngannou proved that he can go inside the boxing ring and hold his own.

"But I think the fact AJ is laser-focused - I think he's going to beat him and no disrespect to Ngannou."

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