Oleksandr Usyk praised for ‘elite’ reaction to Tyson Fury’s withdrawal from February 17 unification fight

BOXING fans have praised Oleksandr Usyk for his reaction to Tyson Fury's fight postponement.

The two heavyweights were set to face each other in a blockbuster Saudi showdown this month.

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However, Fury withdrew from the bout on Friday after suffering a cut to the face during a sparring session. 

A statement from Queensbury Promotions read: "WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury has been forced to postpone his fight with unified Champion Oleksandr Usyk after sustaining a freak cut during a sparring session in Riyadh.

"The cut, which opened above Fury's right eye, required urgent medical attention and significant stitching, which will obviously require a period of recovery, scuppering any possibility of the fight with Usyk taking place on 17th February in Saudi Arabia."

Despite the cancellation, Usyk has continued to train.

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The Ukrainian was pictured in the ring with a sparring partner on Friday evening.

Fans took to social media to praise Usyk for his "elite" mentality.

One person tweeted: "This is what you call a elite athlete with elite mentality @usykaa."

Another added: "Usyk definitely coming into this fight with all the confidence in the world Fury is having a downfall…"

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A third wrote: "Usyk is the best heavyweight on the planet. That can’t be argued."

While a fourth commented: "A real true champ and a real fighting man."

Despite fans' fears, Fury did appear to be wearing protective head gear during sparring.

However, it did not prevent his eye from being cut in a video appearing to show the moment he was ruled out of the Usyk bout.

Taking to Instagram after the news broke, Fury wrote: "I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition.

"I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed.

"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."

A fight between Usyk and Filip Hrgovic is now reportedly being explored for February 17.

The Ukrainian's representatives have been told that it may be "several months" until Fury is ready to compete.