Boxing

[Mike]

Is that official?

Very surprised that Warren is offering a) full refunds b) option to attend the Fury vs Chisora fight when it actually takes place.

Official

Was confirmed on his twitter account last night. There probably would have been so much uproar and bad PR for him had he not offered a refund, that he had no choice.

[Mike]

I spoke to soon on the rearranged fight situation!

Frank Warren has changed his mind half an hour ago and said its refund or nothing!

Definite refund. Slime ball.

[Vermilion]

So Fury will fight Alexander Ustinov on Saturday, the fighter Chisora was sparring with when he done his wrist!

Result!! for Ustinov!

[Tee]

Is it normal for fighters to be sparring less than a week before the fight? I smell a rat.

[Chazza]

Tyson Fury to fight Alexander Ustinov after Chisora withdrawal

Tyson Fury will fight Belarusian Alexander Ustinov in hometown Manchester on Saturday, following the late cancellation of his world title eliminator with Dereck Chisora.

Chisora withdrew from the bout after fracturing his left hand in training.

The 22st Ustinov was Chisora's sparring partner when the injury occurred.

Fury, 25, has promised to "take his frustrations out" on the stand-in, having suffered his third pre-fight cancellation in the last 18 months.

He had two fights with David Haye cancelled after the former world champion pulled out.

Ustinov, 37, has won 29 of his 30 fights, with 21 of his victories coming by knock-out.

The much-hyped Fury-Chisora fight had been billed as an eliminator for the right to meet IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

But Chisora, 30, pulled out on Monday, saying: "I can't tell you how disappointed I am, but it is on the advice of my specialist I do this."

Discussions are under way to reschedule the fight with Chisora later this year, probably in September.

Following Chisora's withdrawal, Fury said: "I have been training for months to get ready for the Chisora fight and I'm in the best condition of my life, so for this to happen again is a big blow.

"Whoever I face on Saturday will be in big trouble. I will take out my frustrations on them."

Meanwhile, Fury faces a British Boxing Board of Control misconduct hearing on 13 August for a foul-mouthed tirade against Chisora at a promotional news conference.

Decent stand in at short notice. Ustinov has punch power no doubt and hopefully he is in decent shape (well as much as he can be at 6ft 7 and 22st ) to make it a contest.

[Mike]

Is it normal for fighters to be sparring less than a week before the fight? I smell a rat.

Normally you would say yes.

It varies from fighter to fighter, rumour has it Froch spars three or four days before each of his fights. Chances are that this would have been the final sparring session before Saturday.

I don't think this was intentional or put on. Chisora has been on a good run of late since dedicating himself to training properly, whereas Fury has not fought much of late - he would have fancied his chances. Chisora has definitely improved since their first fight. Plus this was a massive pay day and there was a chance to fight Vlad Klitschko.

I'm returning my tickets anyway and will watch it on box nation. Still praying Fury gets sparked but can't see it happening at all now.

[Zapater]

I've seen the Ustinov fight Tua, he looked really ****. I also saw his loss when he got hit with a regulation punch which didn't even knock him down and he quit mid-fight. Really unappealing as Fury is not very aesthetically pleasing in the ring either. In fact this fight will pretty much sum up the current HW division more than ever. Two fat, slow, giants whom don't really have KO power against anyone with a half decent chin (Ustinov's right hand is laughable)

[Chazza]

Sounds like I could watch that fight or go to the local Wetherspoons and see the same thing then.

[Mike]

Mike, have you bought any tickets for the Commonwealth Games boxing?

No mate, not got tickets for that. Didn't fancy it in all honesty.

[spud_gun]

No mate, not got tickets for that. Didn't fancy it in all honesty.

Phew!

[Mike]

Phew!

[Gibbo]

[Tee]

[Vermilion]

I've seen the Ustinov fight Tua, he looked really ****. I also saw his loss when he got hit with a regulation punch which didn't even knock him down and he quit mid-fight. Really unappealing as Fury is not very aesthetically pleasing in the ring either. In fact this fight will pretty much sum up the current HW division more than ever.Two fat, slow, giants whom don't really have KO power against anyone with a half decent chin (Ustinov's right hand is laughable)

Coincidentally so does this gif!

[kev776]

Is the ref having a stroke or trying to slip out a smelly wet one?