Zimpapers Logo

LONDON. – Britain’s Tyson Fury has vowed to regain world heavyweight boxing titles “which are rightfully mine” after being given the green light to resume his career.

Fury tested positive for a banned steroid in February 2015, but accepted a backdated two-year ban on Tuesday. Pending the return of his licence, Fury (29) wants to fight compatriot Anthony Joshua – the IBF and WBA heavyweight world champion.

“Where you at boy? I’m coming for you,” he wrote on Twitter.

Fury’s win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 was his last bout before a legal battle with UK Anti-Doping (Ukad).

In October 2016, he gave up his WBO and WBA titles to focus on mental health problems and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) suspended his licence “pending further investigation into anti-doping and medical issues”.

Following Tuesday’s decision, Fury made his challenge to 28-year-old Joshua on social media and also released a statement which said: “Next year I will be back doing what I do best, better than ever and ready to reclaim the world titles which are rightfully mine.

“It’s time to get the party started.”

Joshua defended his world titles in October, while the other two world belts are held by American Deontay Wilder and New Zealand’s Joseph Parker. Last month, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said there was “absolutely no question” Joshua would face Wilder in a unification bout in 2018. – BBC Sport.