Fears Tyson Fury may never fight again as ‘mental health problems’ cause Wladimir Klitschko postponement
Mancunian fighter forced to cancel bout against Ukrainian for a second time
TYSON FURY’S uncle has leapt to the defence of the world champion as fears grow he may never fight again.
Having been forced to scrap the original July 9 date due to an ankle injury, Fury was scheduled to put the WBA super and WBO titles on the line at the Manchester Arena on October 29.
However, the rematch with Wladimir Klitschko has been postponed again, because the world heavyweight champ is “medically unfit to fight” — with fears growing it could be a recurrence of his mental health issues.
He tweeted: "With Tysons condition' he can not be held culpable' detailed statement coming soon on health. He will not & should not be stripped of belts."
There growing concern over Fury's state of mind amid concerns he may never take to the ring again.
News of the cancellation will be a massive blow to fans desperate to see the pair to go toe-to-toe again, following Fury's sensational victory in November last year.
A statement from promoters Hennessy Sports said: “It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce the world heavyweight championship rematch between will not be going ahead.
“Tyson has, this week, been declared medically unfit to fight.
"Medical specialists have advised that the condition is too severe to allow him to participate in the rematch and that he will require treatment before going back into the ring.
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“Tyson will now immediately undergo the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.
“We and Tyson wish to express our sincerest apologies to all those concerned with the event and all the boxing fans who had been looking forward to the rematch.
“Tyson is understandably devastated by the development.“
Fury, 28, ended Klitschko’s decade of dominance with a unanimous points victory in Germany last November.
He was quickly stripped of the IBF title after the veteran Ukrainian triggered the contracted rematch clause — leaving the new champ unable to face the governing body’s mandatory challenger.
American Charles Martin claimed the vacant championship but Anthony Joshua dethroned him and is due to defend the gold for the second time on November 26.
Klitschko, 40, was left questioning whether Fury would face him again when the Mancunian failed to show at a London press conference earlier this month.
Promoter Mick Hennessy put his fighter’s absence down to car trouble and insisted the fight was definitely on.
But it is now unclear when Fury, who still has to answer a drugs charge in front of an anti-doping hearing, will box again.
Frank Warren, whose BoxNation channel was due to broadcast the contest, said: "The fight has been postponed but will be rescheduled.
"I’m disappointed for Tyson, for Wladimir and for the fans."