The much-publicised grudge match between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko has been postponed.
After a vicious war or words between the heavyweight rivals in recent days, Fury took to Instagram to let his fans know that he's been forced out of the heavyweight title clash scheduled for July 9 in Manchester.
"I've got a little bit of bad news for you all," Fury said. "About 10 days ago, I was running up in the Lake District and I went over on my ankle and sprained my ankle.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHCg-kFAAdL/
"I've been to the hospital and have had x-rays and MRI scans and all that stuff. They said that it's not broken but it's badly sprained and to keep off it for six or seven weeks.
"Then I tried to still train a bit, had a second opinion a week later and have had the same advice so the fight will be postponed.
"Sorry to all my fans for letting you all down but injuries do happen and it's one of those things.
"My apologies to everybody who's booked dates or whatever but the fight will be on as soon as possible. That's all I know at this moment but the fight's still going ahead. As soon as the ankle's better, we will reschedule."
Fury beat Klitschko by unanimous decision in their first meeting in Dusseldorf last November and it wouldn't be unlike Fury to produce a mind game such as spreading a rumour about pulling out of the bout with injury to get inside his opponent's head but this seems legitimate.
But ESPN's Dan Rafael has received information from sources that the reigning WBO and WBA heavyweight champion had decided to pull out due to a lack of preparation.
https://twitter.com/danrafaelespn/status/746345441550295040
