Tyson Fury starts psychologist sessions

The heavyweight's career has been disrupted by allegations surrounding his reported use of both recreational and performance-enhancing drugs, while those close to the world champion have said he has been suffering with depression.

Press Association Sport understands Fury began seeing a psychologist soon after the announcement that he was "medically unfit" to take on Klitschko in the slated October 29 fight.

"Medical specialists have advised that the condition is too severe to allow him to participate in the rematch and that he will require treatment before going back into the ring," a statement from his management Hennessy Sports at the time read.

"Tyson will now immediately undergo the treatment he needs to make a full recovery."

It was in the period after that that a psychologist was recruited, five months after his condition reportedly led to him abandoning his training camp for the fight with Klitschko, that had originally been scheduled for July 9.

A week after Fury's withdrawal it was reported he had tested positive for cocaine the day before he did so.

Since then, Fury has taken to Twitter to announce a retirement he back-tracked on three hours later and given an interview to Rolling Stone in which he said he has "done lots of cocaine". He has also revealed he did not "know if I'm going to see the year out".

After his retirement episode on Monday, Fury wrote on Twitter: "Good news is I'm getting the right help and I'll be back even stronger than before, try and stop me. God is great, blessed is Jesus.

"Soon as I get better I'll be defending what's mine, the heavyweight throne."

It remains to be seen how long the heavyweight, who remains the WBA and WBO champion after impressively defeating Klitschko 11 months ago, will be inactive.

His domestic rivals David Haye and Anthony Joshua are expected to fight before the end of the year - the latter possibly against Klitschko - while the British Boxing Board of Control meet on Wednesday to discuss withdrawing his licence.