Tyson Fury: I won't apply for boxing licence in Britain

Fury, who has a 25-0 record, has not fought since beating Wladimir Klitschko to become WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight champion in November 2015.

He twice withdrew from rematches with Klitschko in July 2016 with an ankle problem and September of the same year after being declared medically unfit.

He has said he will not apply for a licence from the British Boxing Board of Control.

"After thinking long & hard about my return, I will not be applying for a BBBOCboxinglicense," said Fury on Twitter.

The man nicknamed 'The Gypsy King' had his licence revoked in October 2016 amid allegations of doping.

He was also charged with a rule violation by UK Anti-Doping after a urine sample from February 2015 showed traces of the banned stimulant nandrolone. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Fury could yet apply for a licence from another country, but there must be doubts over whether he will return to the ring after a 23-month absence.

Manchester fighter Fury admitted in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine last year that he was taking cocaine and battling mental health problems.

In March 2017, Fury suggested he could make a comeback and when compatriot Anthony Joshua beat Klitschko at Wembley the following month, the new world champion said he wanted to fight Fury, a challenge which was accepted on twitter