Boxing's current heavyweight king, Tyson Fury, is facing suspension and drug charges from UK Anti-Doping, after his test results came back positive for a banned substance, only days before his highly anticipated rematch with former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
The Sunday Mirror has reported that Fury is now under investigation, after "failing" his pre-fight drug test in February of last year. If Fury is indeed found guilty, he will be stripped of his three world title belts, and serve a very long suspension from the sport.
The performance enhancing drug, that Fury has tested positive for, was revealed to be nandrolone. Although the chemical naturally occurs in the human body, unacceptable levels of the drug were found in his urine sample. The effects of the drug are primarily muscle growth.
The news of the suspension came on the same day that Fury announced that he will be pulling out of the heated rematch with Klitschko due to an ankle injury, says BBC. The 27-year-old Brit then filed an appeal, thus lifting the suspension, until a hearing with the National Anti-Doping Panel can formally take place.
Tyson Fury and his team deny the doping claims made by UK Anti-Doping. A statement released by Fury's promotion, Hennessy Sports, says: "We are baffled by today's story in the Sunday Mirror. Tyson Fury absolutely denies any allegation of doping." ,adding "He looks forward to recovering from his injury and defending his titles against Wladimir Klitschko in October."
Peter Fury, Tyson Fury's uncle and trainer, voiced his opinions on Twitter regarding the doping charge against his nephew, and son, boxer Hughie Fury, who was also filed for a doping violation, saying that the situation the two boxers were put in was downright "ridiculous", adding that the truth will eventually come out.
To all our fans. Ukad suspension Lifted & @Tyson_Fury @hughiefury can & will be fighting with full go ahead from tribunal. Truth!! Amen.
— peter fury. (@peterfury) August 3, 2016
The rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko is currently put on hold, as the hearing with Fury and the National Anti-Doping Panel is yet to have a confirmed date.
