LONDON (AP) — The world heavyweight title rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko has been postponed.
Fury, the WBO and WBA champion, said in a video posted Friday on his Instagram account that he sprained his ankle while running in northern England 10 days ago. Doctors told Fury he needs to keep off the ankle for six-to-seven weeks.
The fight was scheduled for July 9 in Manchester.
“The fight will be postponed,” Fury said. “Sorry to all my fans, to let you all down, but injuries do happen.”
Fury didn’t give a new date for the fight.
“The fight is still going ahead,” he said. “As soon as the ankle is better, we will reschedule.”
Fury won a decision over Klitschko in November in Duesseldorf, Germany. Fury won the WBO, WBA and IBF belts, but has since been stripped of the IBF title for failing to make a mandatory defense.
The two boxers haven’t fought since the original bout.
Fury said he tried to continue training after hurting his ankle and having an X-ray and an MRI scan. He had a second opinion, but another doctor gave the same advice.
Klitschko’s management also confirmed the fight was off.
“Of course I am totally disappointed about the postponement,” Klitschko said … But one thing is clear: I’ll get my belt back a few weeks later.
His manager, Bernd Boente, said the team was working “feverishly” to find a new date and that it’s “very likely” the fight will be rescheduled for Manchester again.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
