Board put Fury return on hold
TYSON Fury’s claims that he will return to the ring on May 13 have been dismissed by the British Boxing Board of Control after they revealed he is still suspended.
The Manchester heavyweight has caused a stir on social media by tweeting that he is making his long-awaited return to the ring in just over two months.
Fury has not fought since defeating Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles in November 2015.
He vacated those belts after it was revealed he was battling with depression and was deemed ‘medically unfit’ to box.
It seems Fury now wants to return though, after tweeting: “Breaking news. Return of the Mac: May 13th. Working on an opponent, more news to follow. I’m taking on all bums. Keep my belts warm guys as they belong to the King. Whoever has my belts I’m coming for you! Big or small.”
Those hopes appear to have quickly been ended, though, after BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith insisted that Fury is still suspended pending his UK Anti-Doping hearing.
“My understanding is a fact - he’s suspended, so that’s it,” Smith said.
“He’s got a number of issues to consider before we even consider lifting a suspension. We’ve not had any contact with Mr Fury or any of his team since he was suspended.
“We understand there is a hearing taking place for anti-doping, and until that matter is dealt with, the suspension will stay in place.
“[UK Anti-Doping] carry out all of our anti-doping issues. His BBBofC licence is suspended until his UKAD hearing, on our behalf, has taken place. I’m hoping to hear a final date shortly, within the next month or so.
“Mr Fury has a number of issues. It’s not a matter of clicking your fingers - there are medical issues to consider, for his best interest.
“We have not heard from Mr Fury - if he wants his suspension lifted, he must contact us to find out what he needs to do. He must send us documentation for us to consider.”
Fury then claimed he would instead box on an Irish licence with the Boxing Union of Ireland, but that organisation have also revealed they would not issue him a license while he is still suspended.
It isn’t the first time Fury has used social media to try and generate interest in himself, having also announced his retirement on Twitter last year, before then coming out of retirement just a few hours later.
Yesterday, he also tweeted about a potential fight with Tony Bellew later this summer, fresh from the Liverpudlian’s shock win over David Haye on Saturday.