Sky Sports forced to postpone huge boxing card as Hughie Fury falls ill ahead of Michael Hunter fight
HUGHIE FURY'S heavyweight fight with Michael Hunter has been postponed as the Brit has fallen ill.
The 27-year-old was due to headline a Sky Sports boxing show in Manchester on July 2.
But the show has now been pulled after Fury's illness.
And Ricky Hatton's exhibition fight against Marco Antonio Barrera, which was due to take place at the same arena on the same night but under a different promotion, is also off.
The heavyweight dust-up between Fury and Hunter will be re-scheduled for a later date, with the AO Arena Manchester still set to be the venue.
The clash with Hunter is a competitive match-up as the winner is eyeing a shot at Daniel Dubois' WBA regular title.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Reacting to the postponement, Hughie's dad and trainer Peter Fury said: “On behalf of myself and my son, we apologise to the fans but most of all to Hunter and his team, because like us, they’ve gone through a hard camp and this news is the last thing anyone in boxing wants to hear.
“Hughie struggled on through the illness but physically broke down.
"We look forward to this fight being rescheduled as it’s a great fight for both men and for the fans around the world. Once again we apologise to everyone involved, but health is paramount in boxing."
And promoter Ben Shalom added: “Boxing fans all over the world have been looking forward to this fight and so have the two fighters.
Most read in Boxing
SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY
"Nobody will be more disappointed than Hughie Fury and Michael Hunter by today’s news, but health is more important than anything.
"We wish Hughie a speedy recovery while we arrange a new date for this bout in Manchester.”
Hughie is the younger cousin of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
He currently holds a professional record consisting of 23 wins and three defeats.
He boxed for the WBO world title back in 2017, losing by majority decision to Joseph Parker.
Since then, he has also suffered defeats to Kubrat Pulev and Alexander Povetkin.
Meanwhile, Hunter's only pro loss came to Oleksandr Usyk five years ago.
The American has also had draws against Povetkin and most recently Jerry Forrest in December of last year.
Speaking previously about taking on Hunter, Fury said: "I take the fights everyone avoids. Michael Hunter has fought the best and is up there with the best.
Read More on The Sun
"These are the fights I want, to show who is the best fighter out there.
"I'm looking forward to this challenge. I believe I'm one of the best fighters in the world and this is another big fight to prove I stand with the top three in the world heavyweight division."