TYSON Fury's world heavyweight re-match with Wladimir Klitschko has been postponed after the British boxer suffered an ankle injury.

The 27-year-old was due to face Ukraine's Klitschko in Manchester on July 9, with the WBA, WBO and IBO belts on the line, but Fury has now pulled out on doctor's orders.

In an Instagram video, he said: "I've got a little bit of bad news for you all. About 10 days ago I was running in the Lake District and went over on my ankle, spraining my ankle.

"I've been to the hospital and had X-rays, MRI scans and all that stuff. They've said it's not broken but it's badly sprained and to keep off it for six to seven weeks.

"I've had a second opinion a week later and had the same advice so the fight will be postponed."

Fury upset the odds to become world champion in Dusseldorf last November, handing Klitschko his first defeat in 11 years by comfortably outpointing the veteran in a bravura performance.

He hopes the rematch will still go ahead once he has recovered from his setback.

"Sorry to all my fans, to let you all down, but injuries do happen and it's one of those things," Fury added.

"My apologies to everyone who's booked dates, but the fight will be on as soon as possible. As soon as the ankle gets better, we will reschedule."

His uncle and trainer, Peter Fury, posted a photo of his nephew's bruised ankle on Twitter, and said: "So theirs no doubt. Of injury thank you. & sorry to our fans. Fight date will be postponed with new date released very soon prob today.

"Fight will remain in Manchester with same venue."

In the weeks before and after his victory over Klitschko, Fury courted controversy for some of his views, as he equated homosexuality and abortion with paedophilia and said a woman's ''best place is on her back'' - although he repeatedly denied he was a homophobe.

Fury apologised for his remarks at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, at which he came fourth in the main vote, while the British Boxing Board of Control reminded him of his "heavy responsibilities".

More recently, Fury made outspoken comments on rape, bestiality and the Jewish faith in a video published on YouTube last month, drawing the ire of Klitschko.

The 40-year-old said earlier this week: "I was in shock at his statements about women, the gay community, and when he got to the Jewish people he sounded like Hitler. The man is an imbecile. Seriously.

"You cannot put it all together as a representation of the sport of boxing. He's an imbecile champion. Either he needs to be shut up or shut down in the ring, or just suspended, because you cannot create more hate.

"Friction creates friction, the more hate you bring out there - with women, the gay community and Jewish people - what next is he going to say?"