FORMER world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has applied, via promoter Frank Warren, to have his boxing licence with the British Boxing Board of Control reinstated, General Secretary Robert Smith has confirmed to Boxing News.
Two days ago we reported that neither Fury nor his team had approached the Board to get the suspension on his licence lifted, despite UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) ruling in December that he could fight again following the completion of a backdated two-year ban for testing positive for the steroid nandrolone in 2015.
“After we last spoke on Tuesday, I received a note from Frank Warren asking for a hearing to get the suspension lifted,” Smith told Boxing News. Fury’s manager, Mick Hennessy, was meeting Smith about “another matter” and confirmed Fury’s application.
When asked by BN why Fury had waited so long to apply, Warren said: “It wasn’t the right time until now. Now we’ve applied, and we expect to go up before the Board some time in February.”
Warren also confirmed that he hopes to see Fury – last seen in action while defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 – back in the ring in April, but would not comment on whether the heavyweight’s comeback would be broadcast by BT Sport, or what sort of opponent we can expect to see Fury face.
LONG TIME AGO: Fury [right] outscores Klitschko in November 2015
Before all that, Fury must still convince the Board he is worthy of getting his licence back. It was suspended in 2016 after tests showed cocaine was in his system amid admissions he was struggling with mental health.
“I’m hoping to do the hearing as soon as possible,” said Smith. “We need to be satisified he is on the road to recovery at the hearing. We will then make it clear to Tyson what is expected of him. It is then up to him to fulfil all of his obligations.”
Smith confirmed this week that those obligations could include passing a drug test.
