Suspended Fury's title up for grabs

14 October 2016 - 10:42 By © The Daily Telegraph

Tyson Fury's boxing licence has been suspended after a meeting of Boxing Board of Control stewards - 10 months after he defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win heavyweight boxing's No 1 position. In a brief statement, the board confirmed Fury's licence was "suspended pending further investigation into antidoping and medical issues".The next step is for the board to invite Fury to a hearing to discuss admission of cocaine use and two alleged failed random drugs tests showing up cocaine metabolites taken in September by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, the Las Vegas-based organisation.The board statement yesterday was preceded by a press release from Fury's promoter, Mick Hennessy, in which the unbeaten 28-year-old heavyweight officially relinquished the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight titles.Fury said: "I feel that it is only fair and right and for the good of boxing to keep the titles active and allow the other contenders to fight for the vacant belts that I proudly won and held as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world when I defeated the long-standing champion Wladimir Klitschko."I won the titles in the ring, and I believe that they should be lost in the ring, but I'm unable to defend at this time and I have taken the hard and emotional decision to now officially vacate my treasured world titles, and wish the next in-line contenders all the very best as I now enter another big challenge in my life, which I know, like against Klitschko, I will conquer."While Fury is undergoing treatment for depression, a race to fight for the vacant titles will take place, with Anthony Joshua (IBF champion), Wladimir Klitschko (WBO and WBA No2), Joseph Parker (mandatory challenger for the IBF and WBO) and Luis Ortiz (WBA mandatory) the main men in the frame.WBO president Francisco Valcarcel told American reporters that the WBO could set up a four-man box-off for the vacant title involving the four leading available contenders: Parker of New Zealand, Klitschko, No3 Andy Ruiz jnr and No4 David Haye.Fury, meanwhile, will concentrate on his putting his life back together after his controversial reign, and has insisted that he will "come back stronger" some time in 2017. ..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.