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The most awaited boxing rematch is off, again.
The October 29th, 2016 Heavyweight title bout between reigning boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former champion Wladimir Klitschko has been called off once again:
It’s called off again.. #KlitschkoFury https://t.co/kNf0WcWaFe
— Cardiff Shooters (@CardiffShooters) September 23, 2016
Medically Unfit To Fight
Sources say that Fury’s team notified Klitschko’s camp on Friday and even presented to the latter a letter from Fury’s doctor saying that the champ would be “unavailable for the forseeable future” because of mental health issues.
The fighters were supposed to rematch last July 9th but Fury also pulled out of that schedule after suffering an ankle injury during training. The second postponement is different as it may not be physical in nature and it has cast serious doubts on Fury’s future while raising serious questions on whether he should be stripped of his titles.
Severe Medical Condition
Fury’s management team, Hennessey Sports, confirmed the postponement late Friday and issued an official statement saying “medical specialists have advised that the condition is too severe to allow him (Fury) to participate in the rematch.” It also said that Fury will immediately undergo treatment in order to make a full recovery. No other details were given but Hennessey said they will give a full statement in due course.
Fury shocked the world when he beat Klitschko on points last November 2015, ending the latter’s long reign as heavyweight champion, But shortly after winning the titles, he was stripped of the IBF belt after refusing to fight his mandatory challenger. Last month, Fury was charged with a doping violation by the UKAD and a hearing has been set for November. Just a week ago, Fury failed to show up for a press conference related to the rematch. Fury alleged that he missed his appointment because his car broke. It remains to be seen what the sanctioning bodies will do to the belts he’s hostaged for nearly a year.
Fury opened as a -105 to Klitschko’s -125. But the odds evened to -115 when the venue was announced last April 8th. The current odds are a far cry from the -500 favorite Klitschko was during their first meeting. Fury’s age, mobility and size were among the key factors in their first bout. Although beaten like an old man during their first encounter, Klitschko exercised his rematch clause to get a shot at redemption and one more run at the heavyweight title.
