Reigning world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-3, 53 KOs) had backed out of his scheduled 12-round title fight with British giant Tyson Fury (24-0, 18 KOs) after he tore his left calf tendon while training for the supposed to be October 24 bout at the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The news was announced by Klitschko's representatives last Friday as the 39-year-old Ukrainian is reportedly unable to train and move around the ring because of the injury, which was diagnosed by German national football team physician Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, as reported by The Guardian.
Klitschko expressed disappointment after his latest setback and said that he was "looking forward to this fight very much" particularly because of the 27-year-old Briton's trash talks and weird antics leading up to their bout.
He then apologized to his fans and supporters who have already booked their flights and accommodations to watch him in Germany this October, afterward saying sorry to Fury himself, acknowledging the time and effort the Briton had spent preparing for the fight.
"I will do my very best to recover as fast as possible," Klitschko ended.
Meanwhile, Fury said that the match could be rescheduled until February next year as there are no more available dates and all the spots are already filled for the telecast according to Sky Box Office.
Boxing News 24 writer Scott Gilfoid indicated that with the postponement, Fury could be in danger of being too rusty once he finally faces the old lion Klitschko next year.
There were suggestions that the Greater Manchester native should fight 29-year-old WBC world heavyweight titlist, Deontay Wilder, before this year ends while waiting for Klitschko so that his recent training camp would not be wasted.