TYSON Fury's turbulent reign as heavyweight world champion appeared to have run its course last night after the troubled fighter was reported to have tested positive for cocaine. The controversial Fury already looked to have jeopardised the WBA, WBO and IBO belts he has held since last November's points win against Wladimir Klitschko when he pulled out of an October 29 re-match against the Ukrainian for a second time after declaring himself 'medically unfit' to take part but yesterday's news, if confirmed, could leave his career in tatters. According to US broadcasters ESPN, Fury submitted to a random urine test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) in Lancaster on September 22 and the results came back positive for the substance benzoylecgonine, the central compound found in cocaine.
A letter sent by VADA president Dr Margaret Goodman to representatives for Fury, Klitschko, the British Boxing Board of Control and the United States' Association of Boxing Commissions on Thursday night reportedly read: "This letter is to advise you that the 'A' sample urine specimen number 4006253 collected from Tyson Fury on September 22, 2016 in Lancaster, England through his participation in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) program has been analyzed for anabolic agents, diuretics, beta-2 agonists, stimulants and drugs of abuse. The results of the analysis are as follows: Adverse. Urine specimen contains benzoylecgonine. Mr. Fury has the right to promptly request analysis of the 'B' sample at his expense."
While there was no immediate comment from the Fury camp last night, it now seems impossible for him to retain his belts. Originally scheduled to take place on July 9 in the Manchester Arena in Tyson's home town, the re-match with Klitschko was first postponed when Fury said he had sprained his ankle during a training run. After it was delayed again this week his promoter Mick Hennessy said that "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."
Fury, who has reportedly been battling depression, is already facing a UK Anti-Doping Agency hearing on November 4 into a previous positive test for the banned steroid Nandrolone, although the results didn't come to light until after he shocked Klitschko by unanimous decision in Dusseldorf last November. Fury, who feels he is victim of a 'witch hunt', has always denied taking a banned substance. "I think Fury is probably the most unworthy heavyweight champion in history, not only because of this situation but because of the whole package of his sexist comments, his anti-Semitic comments and his homophobic comments that have been (well documented)," said Klitchko's promoter Bernd Boente.
The affair could open the way for a megafight between Klitschko and Anthony Joshua, the reigning IBF heavyweight champion in Manchester in November. "I've seen a lot of stuff talking about AJ and Klitschko saying that it's done," said Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn. "It's definitely not done. But we are in talks with Team Klitschko and his manager Bernd Boente. I'm hopeful that the fight can be made if everything works out."
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