The big day has arrived.
It’s a new year and one during which Tyson Fury hopes to make his return to the ring after 774 days of inactivity.
Fury has revealed that he intends to apply for his boxing licence on Wednesday and has confirmed the targeted comeback date of April.
Applying for my boxing Licance today, will be defending my @ringmagazine title in April,
Can't wait to get back in the ring.— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 10, 2018
After upsetting Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf in 2015, Fury’s time at the top was short-lived as he saw rematches with the Ukrainian cancelled due to a series of issues on Fury’s part; including injury, psychological troubles and traces of cocaine showing up in a blood test.
In recent months, the 29-year-old has dedicated himself to a training regime and a ketogenic diet which has already seen him lose four stone after he ballooned up to a staggering 27 stone in his time away from boxing.
Having been warned that he was in danger of being stripped of his remaining heavyweight title, Fury is adamant that he wants to defend The Ring belt in his return fight.
Who dose the boxing fans think I should fight in April after 2.5 years out the ring?
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 10, 2018
However, as optimistic as ‘2 Fast’ might be about his comeback, British Boxing Board of Control secretary Robert Smith maintains that he’s not received any contact from the controversial heavyweight.
“I spoke to [Fury’s promoter] Mick Hennessy before Christmas because I wanted to get the situation resolved, but I’ve heard nothing since,” Smith told Boxing News.
“It is disappointing, and I don’t understand the logic of not coming into the office.
‘”Despite what he’s saying about coming back, nothing has moved on at all.”
After his UK Anti-Doping ban for testing positive for a prohibited substance was backdated two years, the only remaining stumbling block between Fury and fighting is his licence, which was revoked in October 2016 due to concern over medical issues.