Tyson Fury compares his ring exile to Muhammad Ali being banned from boxing for refusing Vietnam draft
Injury, a failed drugs test, mental health problems, drug use and a lack of a licence have kept the Traveller out
Injury, a failed drugs test, mental health problems, drug use and a lack of a licence have kept the Traveller out
TYSON FURY has compared his current ring to that of Muhammad Ali’s ban for bravely refusing the draft for the Vietnam war.
Ali had his license revoked and was kept away from boxing for almost four years – the prime of his career - when the heavyweight refused to join up with US army.
Fury, who hasn’t fought since he beat Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, says he is being kept away from the ring much the same as Ali was.
Injury, a failed drugs test, mental health problems, confessed drug use and a lack of a licence have combined to keep Fury out of boxing.
And he likened himself to The Greatest over their shared plight, he said: “I am being kept out of the ring by political stuff, they did the same to Muhammad Ali.
"Two years out of the ring. They kept Ali out for three years and seven months. It didn't affect him. He went down as The Greatest."
Fury went on to take a shot at Anthony Joshua and Tony Bellew saying the two Eddie Hearn fighters are using his name to promote themselves.
AJ has called the former champion out and the Bomber could look for another heavyweight payday after he his rearranged rematch with David Haye.
The Gypsy King – who is back in the gym - said: "You've got some bums using my name to boost their name.
“You've got Eddie Hearn supporting them. They are not good enough to tie my shoelaces.
“They're not good enough to hold my jock strap."
“I'm working hard. I'm training hard, and everything is going good. The weight is coming down, the money is rolling in.
"I am happy with what I achieved in my career, but there's an old proverb, 'You can't keep a good man down.'
“And that is what I am, a good man, and you can't keep me down, no matter what anyone says.”