Tyson Fury: World heavyweight champion has boxing license suspended after alleged failed drugs test

Fury reportedly failed a drugs test in the United States last month before withdrawing from a rematch against Wladimir Klitschko

Mark Critchley
Thursday 13 October 2016 10:48 BST
Comments
Tyson Fury vacates heavyweight belts to pave way for Klitschko

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, the former world heavyweight champion, has had his license to box by the British Boxing Board of Control suspended "pending further investigation into anti-doping and medical issues".

The 28-year-old Wythenshawe-born fighter reportedly failed a drugs test in the United States last month, testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a carboxylic acid found in cocaine.

Fury subsequently admitted to Rolling Stone magazine he had “done lots” of the recreational drug.

Fury announced on Wednesday night that he was relinquishing his WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles, which will expedite the confirmation of Wladimir Klitschko's and Anthony Joshua’s planned title fight.

A statement from the BBBoC read: “The British Boxing Board of Control confirms that Mr Fury’s boxer’s licence is suspended pending further investigation into anti-doping and medical issues.”

Fury, who won both titles in his defeat of Klitschko last November, has pulled out of rematches against the Ukrainian twice in recent months.

The pair were scheduled to face each other at the Manchester Arena on October 29, only for Fury to withdraw amid concerns for his mental health.

Klitschko is instead expected to face Joshua, the IBF title holder. Fury was stripped of the IBF belt last year after failing to face Vyacheslav Glazkov, the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in