Television presenter Laura Woods will miss TNT Sports’ coverage of the heavyweight boxing match to determine the undisputed champion due to facial injuries sustained during a holiday accident.
Woods, known for anchoring Champions League coverage for TNT and leading ITV’s Women’s World Cup broadcasting, shared photos of her injuries on Instagram, including injuries above and below her eye, as well as on the side of her face and arm.
The much-anticipated and delayed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is considered the pinnacle of the sport this year.
Laura Woods, who would typically be involved, will miss out due to her injuries. The fight is significant as both men put their unbeaten records on the line, along with the WBC title and the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts.
“Just wanted to explain my absence from the telly for a little while, to be totally transparent and avoid any speculation,” she wrote.
“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.”
“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.”
In her Instagram post, Laura Woods also included a note warning viewers who are sensitive to blood, and she thanked her partner Adam Collard and his family for their support during the difficult time after the injury.
She also expressed gratitude to the medical professionals who attended to her and her agents.
Well-wishers, including England Women legends Fran Kirby and Jill Scott, fellow broadcasters Bianca Westwood and Kelly Sommers, and several other sporting personalities, replied to her post with messages of support.
