Tyson Fury was 'shocked and devastated' as reaction to injury revealed after Oleksandr Usyk postponement

Fury and Usyk will now face each other on May 18, though there are still concerns the fight won't happen.

Before the twist, Fury had been sparring with Agron Smakici - with the 33-year-old's elbow hitting the Briton and leading to the frustrating delay.

Shortly after Fury's injury came to light, there were claims that Smakici showed no remorse for his actions.

Yet the boxing star has now disputed those allegations and says Fury was 'shocked and devastated' that the fight had to be pushed back.

Speaking to the Daily Express, he said: "I don't know who said that [about not showing any remorse].

"This is the first time I am speaking about this... I have not told this story.

"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 a lot of wrestling, and I also do professional wrestling so I had some good moments keeping him in the wrong positions.

"He was joking around, as he always does, and we were roughing each other up on the inside."

He then added: "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.

"So, that's maybe why the elbow came through also.

"But it was a punch first of all. It was a freak accident.

"He [Fury] was very professional. He wasn't blaming anyone.

"Obviously, he was shocked and devastated but he wasn't annoyed with me or anything like that."

Smakici has also revealed he would love to spar with Fury again, offering to take precautions to ensure injury doesn't strike again.

"I would like to come again and help him [Fury] spar because I gave him the best sparring rounds," he continued.

"And I will even put on an elbow protector next time so that nothing can happen."

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

• 'I will fight you' - Tyson Fury's dad calls out Carl Froch for Wembley bout as boxing feud reaches new level
• Tyson Fury's incredible transformation on full display as Gypsy King faces new test after suffering cut
• Tyson Fury threatened with huge fine if he pulls out of Oleksandr Usyk fight again after new date agreed

Meanwhile, Usyk's manager Egas Limas recently hit out at Fury for the delay and accused the 35-year-old of lacking courage.

"Tyson Fury is a f***ing coward who will do anything not to face Usyk," he said.

"And he asked his b***h to hit him with a frying pan in his brow."

Yet a furious Fury has hit back by insisting that isn't the case, while also threatening Limas.

“Egis, never call me a coward again. I’ve had 35 professional fights. I’ve been boxing for 18 years of my life. I’ve climbed off the canvas 10 times, off the biggest punchers in history to win. Never a coward. Never backed down from any man in my life," he raged.

"And if anybody calls my wife a b***h I will take his teeth out.

“How can you call me a coward? You’ve never had a fight in your life.”