Tyson Fury plans to return to the ring on July 8 if he can overturn drugs ban and lose further six stone, says promoter Frank Warren
Former boxing world champion hopeful of comeback fight in two months, according to promoter Frank Warren
TYSON FURY is targeting losing a further SIX STONE to return to the ring on July 8 – as long as he can overturn his drugs ban at a UK Anti-Doping hearing on Monday.
The 28-year-old has not fought since defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become heavyweight champion in November 2015.
A combination of drug and mental health issues have kept him out of action.
However, he has begun training again in the wake of Anthony Joshua’s victory over Klitschko last week and is intent on landing an all-British super-fight with the star.
Fury needs to shed 7st before July to get back to his fighting weight, and he revealed he has already lost 18 pounds.
His camp are confident that he can avoid any further sanction from UKAD and convince the British Board of Control that he deserves to win his boxing licence back.
Fury's promoter Frank Warren told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek: “He has been having treatment and the view is that after nearly 18 months now he is mentally fit to resume training.
“The bottom line is we believe and hope the treatment has been successful and hopefully he gets his licence back because it is good for him to earn money as a boxer, but more importantly it is good for his health and well-being that he has something going for him in his life.
“Provided Tyson is OK he has said he would like to fight on July 8. There's no problem arranging that, but the most important thing is he's 100 per cent mentally well before he gets back in the ring.”
Should he win his case with UKAD then the return of his licence could cause him more issues.
The BBBC are expected to take their time to consider all factors before making any decision.
Warren also said that Fury would have a number of warm-up bouts ahead of any potential clash with Joshua.
He added: “I honestly do believe that it will not be long before he gets his belts back - he's head and shoulders above all the other heavyweights in the world at the moment.
“You look at the performance of Anthony Joshua which was brave, heroic and very, very exiting - but the difference in how they handled Klitschko was vast and Tyson was far superior.”