LAURA WOODS has pulled out of hosting Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk after revealing a horror injury suffered in a freak accident.
The glamorous TNT Sports host was notably absent from coverage of Fury’s weigh-in against Usyk on Friday.
She was also not present for yesterday’s heated press conference in Saudi Arabia.
But Woods posted a heartfelt note on Friday evening revealing she is unable to attend the clash after a horror injury while on holiday with boyfriend Adam Collard.
The fan favourite revealed she had accidentally smashed a glass lampshade above her head, causing it to shatter and cut her face and arm.
Woods was taken to an emergency clinic by Love Island star Collard, who stayed by her side as she was attended to by doctors who opened the surgery on their day off.
But Woods feels she is on the mend as she continues to recover, and has thanked those who came to her aid while defiantly vowing to “be back soon”.
She posted on Instagram: “Just wanted to explain my absence from the telly for a little while, to be totally transparent and avoid any speculation.
“I had an accident last weekend at a holiday cottage. I swung a pillow and hit a large, glass lampshade hanging from the ceiling above me, which shattered and cut my face and arms, but luckily missed my eye.
“I wanted to say a couple of thank yous, firstly to Adam, for being my hero that day, acting so quickly and not leaving my side since and to his family for taking care of me in a time when I was petrified.
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“To my agents Alex Maguire and Matthew Odonohue at CAA who searched for the best help immediately.
“To Dr Yannis Alexandrides and his wonderful medical assistant Zuzanna at 111 who opened their emergency surgery and came in on their days off, they were so gentle and have already worked magic that I didn’t think was possible to reduce the damage.
“I’ve added in the photos from then to now to show that even though it may look rough, it’s such a wonderful improvement already and I’m so grateful.
“It was a hell of a shock and I’ve been a bit sad, but I’m feeling very lucky it wasn’t worse. So a big thanks to my eyebrow too, for taking the brunt of it.
“I’m gutted I can’t cover the fight in Riyadh tomorrow anymore, but wishing the brilliant TNT boxing team all the best. Be back soon xx.”
Fans were quick to pay tribute to Woods.
One said: “Get well soon Woodsy.”
Another declared: “Sorry to hear that, awful injury.”
One noted: “Oh my goodness, hope you have a speedy recovery! Thank God it missed your eye.”
Another added: “Glad you’re on the mend.”
This Little and Large affair is likely to be messy and more mundane than memorable with lots of clinches and Usyk using mind over matter as his most potent weapon.
Logically there is no way the Gypsy King should lose — that old adage about a good big-un always beating a good little-un was coined for good reason.
If it was the Fury of three years ago when he KO’d Deontay Wilder in the last of their unforgettable trilogy then I believe Usyk — despite his masterful skills and boxing brain — would be facing a painful defeat.
But there was evidence seven months ago when Fury was lucky to get a debateable points win after crude MMA novice Francis Ngannou had floored him, that his powers may be in decline.
The young Fury would never have been caught by Ngannou’s left hook that sent him to the canvas.
It will be no surprise if Fury uses his height and weight advantage to physically wear Usyk out.
But my gut feeling is Usyk is clever enough to keep out the way of Fury’s big punches and earn a close but decisive points victory.
Talking to boxing people and fans this week I have the impression Fury is losing popularity — not helped by his father John’s headbutting antics — and not too many tears will be shed if he should lose.
