FORMER heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is taking step closer to a boxing comeback. He has not boxed since dethroning Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 to win the IBF, WBO and WBA world titles. Since then he has pulled out of a rescheduled rematch with health issues and, facing allegations of failing a drug test, remains without a licence from the British Boxing Board of Control.
Fury needs to go before a hearing with the national anti-doping panel, which has been consistently delayed. This will finally take place in December.
Fury’s promoter Mick Hennessy insists this delay through no fault on Tyson’s side, pointing out that a hearing in May was halted after UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) objected to the participation of a tribunal member. Hennessy says UKAD’s team could not meet proposed dates for the hearing in October. Now this will take place next month.
The hearing will be crucial for Fury’s future in the sport. But in a move towards paving the way for a comeback Fury has reached an advisory agreement with management group MTK Global.
“I couldn’t be happier to sign an advisory deal with MTK Global,” says Fury. “It is unbelievable how fast they have grown and what they have achieved in the past few years. I spoke to my mate Billy Joe Saunders and he only had good things to say about MTK so it was an easy decision to go with them.”
Fury is currently back in training, recently pictured with Ricky Hatton in his Manchester gym. Fury is aiming to fight again next year.
“I love boxing and I need it back in my life. Right now I’m working hard to shift some weight and get in shape to re-enter the ring. That won’t take me long at all and then I’ll be looking for my first opponent in early 2018,” Fury said.
“There are plenty of options for me. Everyone wants to get in the ring for a payday with me. So we’ll sit down and decide who we choose but everyone knows the fights I really want. I want to knock out Anthony Joshua and I want to knock out Deontay Wilder and I believe by the time those fights happen they will be to unify the heavyweight division.”
