|  Media
Statement
Issued by
Matthew Watt of Sports Management Australia
regarding the postponement of Tszyu – Mitchell II
It is with
considerable regret that based on medical advice received yesterday
I am today announcing the postponement of Kostya Tszyu’s
rematch with Sharmba Mitchell, which was to have been held in
Moscow on February 7. During
a training session this week at the Tszyu Boxing Academy in
Rockdale, Kostya sustained an injury to his shoulder.
The injury was assessed by Australia’s leading shoulder
surgeon, Professor David Sonnabend at Sydney’s Royal North
Shore hospital. Sonnabend found that the injury would require
surgery, leading to a postponement of the fight. The surgical
procedure will be undertaken this Saturday 17th January.The
injury, in the word’s of Professor Sonnabend "could
have happened to anybody", and is in no way a function
of age. He stated, "Kostya Tszyu is an extraordinarily
strong man for his size. Although this will set him back some
months, the shoulder will recover completely to its former capacity".
Needless
to say, Kostya is devastated by this outcome.
He has
been training extremely hard for several months, and had every
confidence of retaining his WBC, WBA and IBF super lightweight
titles. His preparation for the bout was proceeding ahead of
schedule and Kostya and his whole team had been looking forward
to departing for Moscow next week. It is also particularly disappointing
for Kostya because this would have been his first professional
fight in Russia, his country of birth. Additionally, it would
have been the first ever sanctioned world title defense to be
held in Moscow.
It is too
early to indicate revised dates for the match however the combination
of surgery and rehabilitation, along with specific fight preparation,
will result in a postponement of some months.
The promoters,
television networks broadcasting the event, boxing sanctioning
bodies and Sharmba Mitchell’s management have all been
advised of this unfortunate news.
As disappointing
as this outcome is for Kostya, he remains totally committed
to resuming training following a successful operation this weekend,
and a period of rehabilitation.
Kostya,
as always, is appreciative of the support he has received from
his team, management and support staff, and of course his legion
of fans in Australia, Russia and throughout the world.
The event
promoter, Vlad Warton, stated this afternoon:
"I
am most disappointed with the unfortunate and untimely injury
Kostya Tszyu has suffered in training for his February 7th engagement.
Whilst, initially it was thought to be a minor injury, our worst
fears were realised, when a specialist examined Kostya yesterday
and confirmed that he would require immediate corrective surgery
to repair the injury. However, the good news is Kostya is expected
to make a full and speedy recovery. This is the second postponement
of this highly anticipated and long awaited rematch and only
the second such postponement in Kostya Tszyu’s professional
career.
"I
have spoken to Mr. Jay Larkin of Showtime Network Inc, he expressed
his concerns for Kostya’s health and wellbeing and agreed
to reschedule the bout to be staged in Moscow on a later date
to be announced.
"I
wish to express my most sincere regrets to Kostya’s and
Sharmba’s fans around the world for any inconvenience
caused to themby the delay of this bout.
"I
would also wish to thank Showtime Network Inc for their immeasurable
and continuing support of Kostya Tszyu, my Russian partners
and Co-promoters of this event Football Tourist Agency and event
sponsors for their kind understanding and support, as well as,
hundreds of people and Team Members who have worked diligently
and tirelessly towards making this event possible in Moscow.
A very special expression of gratitude to the WBC’s Vice
President and our dear friend Mr. Edmund Lipinski for his enormous
long term contribution. Looking forward to seeing you all in
Moscow."
WWW.KOSTYATSZYU.COM
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