Tyson Fury could face further wait for ring return

BySportsbeat

Updated 10/01/2018 at 17:28 GMT

In typically brazen fashion, Tyson Fury announced to the world that he was ready for a 2018 return to the ring, with a bout against world champion Anthony Joshua top of his list.

Tyson Fury is keen to fight Anthony Joshua in 2018.

Image credit: Eurosport

However, he could be waiting longer than he thought after boxing chiefs confirmed they were "nowhere near" granting him a licence to fight again.

The British Boxing Board of Control insist they need the 29-year-old's updated medical records before they consider their decision, after Fury had declared on Twitter earlier on Wednesday he would be applying for his licence.

Fury's last fight was his stunning upset of Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, which won the Manchester fighter the WBA, IBF and WBO, heavyweight titles on a memorable night in Germany.

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He tested positive for a banned steroid in February 2015, blaming the result on eating wild boar.

He has also battled with a number of personal issues, testing positive for cocaine in September 2016.

The BBBofC suspended his licence in October 2016, citing "anti-doping and medical issues", with Fury having vacated his WBO and WBA titles, the latter which is now held by Joshua.

In December, it was announced Fury had accepted a backdated two-year ban from the sport, meaning a return to the ring in 2018 was a possibility.

But, in comments made to the BBC 5 live boxing podcast, BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith said: "We have a number of reports already in from when he was suspended.

"We will need up-to-date ones and then pass them on to our doctors and consultants. They will tell me if they need more but at present we are nowhere near that.

"I have spoken to Mick Hennessy [Fury's promoter], advising he'd like to get on with this as soon as possible and he did say he'd come back to me but unfortunately at this time he hasn't so it hasn't moved on yet."

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