Boxing followers must wait a short time longer for the primary undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt period to be topped. The long-awaited blockbuster showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury has been pushed again from February 17 to May 18 after catastrophe struck within the Gypsy King's camp. Here, Express Sport explains what occurred and what it means for the destiny of the struggle.

Why was Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk cancelled?

Two weeks earlier than struggle night time Fury was lower in sparring by lesser-known heavyweight Agron Smakici. The Croatian puncher opened a gash above Fury's proper eye that required 11 stitches leaving organisers with no alternative however to postpone the bout.

Footage of the second Fury was lower emerged on-line and appeared to indicate that an elbow had pierced the WBC champion's pores and skin. Speaking to Express Sport shortly after the incident, Smakici insisted it was a 'freak accident'.

"When you see the punch, I know I shot a clear punch but the way he held my head, he was pulling my head forward to him," he stated. "So, that's maybe why the elbow came through also. But it was a punch first of all. It was a freak accident."

Is Usyk combating a alternative?

Usyk shouldn't be combating a alternative opponent regardless of insisting that he was open to boxing Filip Hrgovic on the identical date. The undisputed conflict has as an alternative been moved to May 18 though the Ukrainian's staff need a alternative opponent to be lined up in case Fury pulls out once more. 

"In case he [Fury] withdraws from the fight, a replacement should be foreseen in advance," stated Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk. "In case, for some reason, he has a cut on his heel or anything, a fight will take place under any circumstances." 

What occurs if the struggle is postponed once more?

Saudi royal advisor Turki Alalshikh has promised to effective Fury or Usyk £8million if both of them forces their rescheduled struggle to be postponed once more. During a current look on the MMA Hour, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority stated: “There will be $10m [£8m] (to be paid) if someone escapes from the fight (from their own money).”

It seems Team Usyk requested for the penalty to be put in place. “It was our request when we were negotiating,” stated Usyk's supervisor Egis Klimas. “We said to the Saudis 'if you are going to move the fight, make sure you include the penalty'.”