Tyson Fury could be stripped of his world heavyweight titles after reportedly ‘testing positive for cocaine’.
Fury had been set to face a rematch against former world champion Wladimir Klitschko before pulling out of the fight saying he was ‘medically unfit’.
But the Mancunian is reported to have tested positive for the Class A drug, according to ESPN, and could now be stripped of his heavyweight belts.
ESPN claim Fury was notified that he failed a random urine sample for the drug by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) which was collected on September 22. The results of VADA’s testing for performance enhancing drugs are not yet complete, but if it’s confirmed cocaine was found in his system he will likely have his belts stripped.
The following day, September 23, news broke that the 6ft 9in fighter was withdrawing from the fight because he was medically unfit.
Hennessy Sports, which manages the British boxer, had released a statement last week saying: ‘Tyson has, this week, been declared medically unfit to 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.
‘Tyson will now immediately undergo the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.
‘We and Tyson wish to express our sincerest apologies to all those concerned with the event and all the boxing fans who had been looking forward to the rematch. Tyson is understandably devastated by the development.
‘We will be making a further statement in due course. Until then, we ask that Tyson and his family be given the privacy and the space he needs to recover during this difficult time.’
Fury pulled out of the on-off rematch with the Ukrainian, scheduled for October 29. Klitschko now looks set to face fellow British IBF world champion Anthony Joshua in November.
We will bring you more updates as news breaks.
