Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is one step closer to returning to the ring. The controversial fighter was supposed to take an important step towards regaining his license yesterday, but he was reported as not bothering to show up. As it turns out, he wasn’t required too.
In November of 2015, big mouthed British heavyweight Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) took a career defining decision over then seemingly unbeatable longtime heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. The fight wasn’t exciting, but the win shook the boxing world and made Fury an international star. Unfortunately, the scheduled rematch for early 2016 fell through thanks to a myriad of issues on Fury’s side and he hasn’t fought since.
Stripped of all titles and prestige that were earned that night against the Ukrainian, Fury ballooned in weight as he sat on the shelf. Recently he has been claiming that he is coming back, however. One of the major obstacles in the way of such a return would be getting the British Boxing Board to re-issue his boxing license. Unfortunately, the board won’t consider this until the UK Anti-Doping Agency has had a hearing with the former champion.
After many delays, yesterday was that hearing. Tyson Fury was a no show, or at least that is how the boxing media reported it. In truth, only lawyers were required to work this one out. On his behalf, legal Team Fury accepted a backdated two year ban that was retroactively served when he was inactive anyway. That might be a stupid form of imaginary punishment, but what it effectively means is that Tyson Fury is clear to obtain his boxing license to return to the ring.
