Heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury could have his titles taken from him after reports that he he has tested positive for cocaine use. His WBA WBO and IBF belts could all be lost if the reports are confirmed.
The 28-year-old recently pulled out of his title defence fight against Wladimir Klitscho, set for October 29th, after being declared “medically unfit” on the 23rd of September.
Hennessy Sports, Fury’s promoters, released a statement last week;
“It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce that the World Heavyweight Championship rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko, scheduled to take place on the 29th October 2016 at the Manchester Arena, will not be going ahead.
“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.”
ESPN then reported that Fury had tested positive for cocaine just the day before, on the 22nd of September. He allegedly failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Associaion (VADA) test, which found cocaine in a random urine sample.
He’s hinted at using the drug in the past, saying in April, “It’s either high or low. I’m either off my head on cocaine or down on the floor from a tranquilliser injection. Most of the time, I’m just down and depressed like today, because for every high there’s a low.”
Fury is yet to release a statement about the reports.