Tyson Fury drug test: Heavyweight world champion denies failed drugs test allegations and says he's 'baffled'
A national newspaper claimed that Fury and his cousin, Hughie, are being investigated by UK Anti-Doping over alleged failed drugs tests
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tyson Fury has released a statement to deny “any allegation of doping” after a Sunday newspaper claimed a UK Anti-Doping [Ukad] investigation into an alleged failed drug test by the current world heavyweight champion had been launched, with Fury admitting he is “baffled” by the accusation.
Fury has been forced to postpone his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko from its original 9 July slot after suffering an ankle injury in training, having become just the third man to beat the Ukrainian to win the unified WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight world champion in November last year.
Fury, who was quickly stripped of the IBF title that Anthony Joshua now holds, announced this week that the rematch would not go ahead as planned, but it was soon claimed by the Sunday Mirror that an alleged failed drug test provided by Fury last year is being investigated by Ukad.
According to the report, the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone was allegedly found in a sample provided by Fury before his win over Klitschko, with his cousin, Hughie, also alleged to have provided a positive test.
Both have denied the allegations, and Fury released a statement through his promoter, Hennessy Sports, to dismiss the claims.
“We are baffled by today's story in the Sunday Mirror,” the statement read. “Tyson Fury absolutely denies any allegation of doping. He looks forward to recovering from his injury and defending his titles against Wladimir Klitschko in October.”
The alleged failed test is reported to have taken place between February and March 2015, at least eight months before his victory over Klitschko, with suggestions that Fury and his cousin attended a meeting in September to be told of the adverse findings. However, Ukad claimed that they wanted to investigate further.
Fellow British world champion Joshua spoke about the case surrounding Fury following his successful title defence over Dominic Breazeale of the United States on Saturday night, in which he claimed that he hopes Fury is able to return to the ring quickly in order to set-up a unification bout against him.
"I haven't heard too much about it, but it's a shame because he's worked hard to get where he is," Joshua said after the seven-round knockout victory over Breazeale at London’s O2 Arena.
"I hope he can overcome it and get back to winning ways, because it's a fight everyone wants to see and we were serious about.
"I don't know if it's been 100 per cent proven, but I just hope it's not too serious and that me and him can continue on our collision course."
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, cast doubt over negotiations with Fury’s camp should a fight be set-up between Joshua and Fury, given the 27-year-old’s volatile personality.
"You never know with someone like Tyson Fury how long they're going to be in the game," Hearn said. "Not because of what's in the papers, but because he's a little bit out there and for how long will he keep winning?
"We've spoken about that fight and maybe we could have taken it in the winter, but this has made our decision for us - not the allegations, but his injury."
Hearn also opened the door to a potential bout with Klitschko if Fury is found to have fallen foul of the regulations and is stripped of his titles, adding: "We're looking at Fury, and Klitschko may be given the belts back, we don't know.”
Sophie Ashcroft, a spokesperson for Ukad, said that the organisation would not comment on individual cases until they are completed and refused to confirm if there was a case for Fury to answer.
She said: "UK Anti-Doping does not discuss or disclose details of any cases until due legal process has been completed or a respondent chooses to put the information into the public domain.
"This is to protect the rights and privacy of all involved and to ensure that a case is not subjected to unnecessary prejudice.
"It is important to note that an anti-doping rule violation is only deemed to have been committed once the legal process, including any appeals, has been completed. At that point, details of a violation will be made available on the Ukad website."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments