Tyson Fury Vacates WBO And WBA Heavyweight Titles Over Drug Abuse Scandal

Tyson Fury Vacates WBO And WBA Heavyweight Titles Over Drug Abuse Scandal 

Tyson Fury has vacated his WBO and WBA world heavyweight titles to
deal with his “medical treatment and recovery”.
The Briton, 28, has admitted taking cocaine to deal with depression
and could also lose his boxing licence on Thursday.
He has not fought since beating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015
and has twice withdrawn from rematches.
“I now enter another big challenge in my life which I know, like against
Klitschko, I will conquer,” Fury said.
He said it was “for the good boxing” and “only fair and right” to give up
his belts.
“I won the titles in the ring and I believe that they should be lost in the
ring, but I’m unable to defend at this time and I have taken the hard
and emotional decision to now officially vacate my treasured world
titles,” he said.
In a statement, Fury’s promoter Hennessy Sports said the decision
would “allow him the time and space to fully recover from his present
condition without any undue pressure and with the expert medical
attention he requires”.
Mick Hennessy added that the decision was “heartbreaking”.
Uncle and trainer Peter Fury has said Fury will return “stronger” and
“reclaim what’s rightfully his”.
Fury withdrew from his latest rematch against Ukraine’s Klitschko,
scheduled for 29 October, because of mental health issues.
He then admitted in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine that he
was taking cocaine to help deal with depression.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) met on Wednesday to
discuss that revelation, as well as other comments by Fury, and could
decide to strip him of his licence to box.
The WBO and WBA had already said Fury could lose his titles because
of inactivity.
Meanwhile, promoter Eddie Hearn has said a deal is “very close” for
Britain’s heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to fight Klitschko for
his IBF belt and the now vacated WBA title.
It is thought New Zealand’s Joseph Parker and Mexico’s Andy Ruiz Jr
could now contest the WBO title.
WBO chairman Luis Batista-Salas had said Fury could lose his belt
because of “inactivity, breach of contract and performance-enhancing
drugs and stimulants”.
The WBA president Gilberto Mendoza said Fury deserved a chance “to
overcome this situation”, but added the Englishman could ultimately
lose his title.
There is an option that Fury can be declared as a ‘champion in recess’.
This means Fury is the mandatory challenger for the belt when he
returns to the ring.
Fury is also facing a UK Anti-Doping hearing next month with reports
claiming he tested positive for banned substance nandrolone in
February 2015.
Trainer and uncle Peter Fury: “It’s driven him to despair. I see him
being back in the gym in March or April. He’ll resume his career.”
Billy Joe Saunders: “It is a big mistake, taking his boxing licence away.
It is like taking food from a baby,” he added. “He needs the licence to
pull through.”
IBF champion Anthony Joshua: “Tyson is a fighting man, a real talent
and he is good for boxing in his own way. It’s too easy to point the
finger because none of us really know what he is going through.”

-BBC