TYSON FURY is back in training ahead of a return to boxing in 2017, according to his uncle and trainer, Peter Fury.
The former heavyweight supremo vacated his WBA and WBO world titles earlier in the year after admitting to cocaine use and an ongoing battle with depression.
He rightfully took some time out to address his mental health issues but Peter has confirmed to Boxing News that we could see Tyson back in the ring as early as April 2017.
Merry Christmas guys I’ve had a nightmare 2016 done a lot of stuff I’m not proud of! But my promise to u is I’ll return 2017 takeover. Xxx
— GYPSYKING (@Tyson_Fury) December 24, 2016
For now, he is mainly engaged in cardio work alongside his cousin, unbeaten contender Hughie Fury, and will link up with Peter for a full-time camp in the near future.
The unbeaten 28-year-old has not fought since his historic win over Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, when he relieved the dominant Ukrainian of the WBA, WBO and IBF titles.
Two dates for their immediate rematch were aborted this year, and the fight was tabled indefinitely when Fury admitted to his personal struggles.
Fury was stripped of the IBF title just days after winning it due to his inability to fulfil their mandatory requirements – as he was contractually obliged to rematch Klitschko – and the belt eventually found itself in the possession of Anthony Joshua.
Klitschko and Joshua will meet at Wembley Stadium on April 29 with the vacant WBA title also on the line. As big as that fight is, Fury – while inactive – is still considered the best heavyweight on the planet after his huge win over Klitschko, who had not been beaten in a decade.
All thease bums got world belts because of 1 man the #Gypsyking, remember that. It’s getting embarrassing the amount of bums they find.!!!
— GYPSYKING (@Tyson_Fury) December 11, 2016
Boxing News understands that Fury will not jump straight into title contention, but will rather get a few fights under his belt before taking aim at the current champions, potentially toward the end of 2017 or in early 2018. It is believed that WBC champion Deontay Wilder is first on Tyson’s championship hitlist.
Hughie Fury is currently in the running to challenge newly-crowned WBO champion Joseph Parker.
One issue are the charges Tyson and Hughie were served with by UK Anti-Doping back in June. Both allegedly failed a drug test and their suspensions were lifted pending further investigation. Both deny the charges and as of yet there has been no more news on the hearing they were scheduled to have in front of the National Anti-Doping Panel.
Tyson’s British Boxing Board of Control licence to box was also suspended when he admitted to cocaine use, pending further investigation. At the time, Peter urged the BBBofC to take into consideration Tyson’s mental health problems before making a permanent decision.
Should he return to the ring, it would add further intrigue to the heavyweight division. Beside his incredible achievement against Klitschko, Fury is one of the biggest personalities in the sport and could be involved in mouth-watering clashes with the Joshua-Klitschko winner, Wilder or even David Haye.
