Heavyweight contender Tyson Fury will remain in the main event of Saturday's fight card at the Phones4U Arena in Manchester, England, and will face last-minute substitute Alexander Ustinov, promoter Frank Warren announced Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Ustinov, the man against whom Chisora broke his hand during the sparring session, agreed to terms to take his place in what will be a meeting of giants. The 250-plus pound Fury is 6-foot-9; the 300-pound Ustinov is 6-7
Fury said he will take out his frustrations on Ustinov for the fight with Chisora being postponed.
"The first thing is I'm happy to still be fighting this Saturday and that the fans will get what they paid for and see a good fight," Fury said. "We've had a hard training camp and I'm in the [best] shape of my life, expecting to knock out Chisora. But now I'm going to have take it out on Ustinov and make sure he takes the full force of my anger.
"Chisora will now see what he was going to get on the night -- knocked out. Strangely, I'm going to break the man who broke Chisora's hand. Full credit for Ustinov for taking the fight. He's a big lad. More importantly he's a credible world-ranked opponent and he must fancy his chances. We're two gladiators, but he's going to feel what it is like against a world-class heavyweight like me."
Last Edit: Jul 23, 2014 18:05:23 GMT by Jam_Van_Dam
Fair play to Fury for taking this guy on with just 4 days notice! Considering he is tall, near enough 300lbs and nothing like Chisora. Think Fury will win due to his speed advantage and better boxing skills but at the same time this guy will likely have KO power that Chisora does not.
Tyson Fury has withdrawn from Saturday's heavyweight bout against Alexander Ustinov after his uncle and former trainer Hughie fell seriously ill and was taken to hospital.
Fury had initially been set to face Dereck Chisora at Manchester's Phones 4u Arena before the European champion pulled out with a fractured hand.
Chisora had suffered the injury in a sparring session against Ustinov, with the Belarusian drafted in by promoter Frank Warren as a late replacement.
Uncle and trainer Peter Fury decided to pull his nephew out of the bout instead of potentially risking his health by sending him into the ring unfocused.
"I'm very, very, disappointed for the fans," Warren said.
"After Dereck Chisora pulled out because of his hand injury, we worked very hard to secure a world ranked opponent in Ustinov.
"It's sad that his uncle Hughie is in a serious condition and our thoughts are with him.
"The show will still go ahead and as before it's a great card with Billy Joe Saunders, Liam Smith, Terry Flanagan and Jack Catterall and Nathan Brough all in title action."
Last Edit: Jul 26, 2014 10:21:11 GMT by Jam_Van_Dam