Boxing: Tyson Fury pulls out of tonight's rearranged fight against Alexander Ustinov after his uncle is taken severely ill

Fury was supposed to fight Dereck Chisora before a fractured hand saw Chisora ruled out with Ustinov stepping up in his absence

Talking a bad game: Tyson Fury could have his licence suspended by the Boxing board (Getty)

Tyson Fury has withdrawn from this evening's clash with Alexander Ustinov after his uncle and first trainer was taken seriously ill, it has been announced.

Fury had initially been due to fight Dereck Chisora at Manchester's Phones 4 U Arena this weekend but after Chisora was forced to pull out through injury on Monday, 37-year-old Belarusian Ustinov was brought in as a replacement.

However, that heavyweight fight will not take place either now after Fury's uncle, Hughie, was taken to hospital.

A statement from Queensberry Promotions read: "Tyson Fury has withdrawn from his heavyweight contest tonight against Alexander Ustinov after his uncle and first trainer, Hughie, has been taken seriously ill into hospital.

"Tyson's uncle and trainer Peter took the decision to pull him out of the fight rather than risk his health by sending him into the ring with his mind not focused."

Promoter Frank Warren added: "I'm very, very, disappointed for the fans. 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. We will be announcing the rescheduled date for Chisora v Fury next week."

Ustinov, who has won all but one of his 30 fights, was helping Chisora prepare for the British showdown and inflicted the broken hand during sparring that forced Warren to search for a replacement opponent.

PA