Agron Smakici, the boxer who minimize Tyson Fury and delayed his undisputed conflict with Oleksandr Usyk, has damaged his silence on the incident. During a Friday afternoon sparring session in preparation for the highly-anticipated bout, the Croatian puncher opened a gash above Fury's proper eye that required 11 stitches.

Due to the severity of the minimize organisers had no possibility however to push Usyk vs Fury again from February 17 to May 18. Shortly after the news broke studies circulated on-line claiming Smakici confirmed 'zero regret' for his actions.

But the 33-year-old, talking to the media for the primary time throughout an unique interview with Express Sport, asserts the quotes are made up. "I don't know who said that. This is the first time I am speaking about this... I have not told this story," he stated.

"It was a strange day. Throughout the two weeks, I was sparring with him [Fury] we did hard sparring in the evenings but that day it was at about midday. 

"During the spar, there was numerous wrestling, and I additionally do skilled wrestling so I had some good moments preserving him within the unsuitable positions. He was joking round, as he at all times does, and we have been roughing one another up on the within."

Leaked footage from their final sparring session together appeared to show that an elbow was the cause of the cut. Smakici insists this was accidental. "When you see the punch, I do know I shot a transparent punch however the best way he held my head, he was pulling my head ahead to him," he continued. "So, that is perhaps why the elbow got here by means of additionally. But it was a punch initially. It was a freak accident."

Recalling how Fury reacted to the cut, Smakici added: "He was very skilled. He wasn't blaming anybody. Obviously, he was shocked and devastated however he wasn't aggravated with me or something like that."

Smakici was drafted into Fury's camp alongside undefeated British heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma and cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia to help emulate Usyk's style. He shared between six and nine rounds with the Brit in total and described Fury as being in 'good shape'.

Contrary to reports claiming that the WBC champion was getting 'turned over' in the gym, Smakici says Fury was 'sparring well'. "I want to come once more and assist him [Fury] spar as a result of I gave him one of the best sparring rounds and I'll even placed on an elbow protector subsequent time in order that nothing can occur," Smakici quipped.