Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury retires, backtracks on decision
Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxing via social media on Monday morning, but backtracked on his decision less than three hours later, days after he reportedly failed a drug test.
Fury, 28, said he was hanging up his gloves with a profane message on Twitter, saying in part, "Boxing is the saddest thing I ever took part in... I'm also retired....happy days."
His follow-up tweet recanting his decision to retire read, “Hahahaha u think you will get rid of the GYPSYKING that easy!!! I'm here to stay. #TheGreatest just shows u what the Medea [sic] are like. Tut tut”
Fury was reportedly notified that he failed a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association conducted test for cocaine on Sept. 22 and is in danger of losing the WBO, IBF, and WBC titles he won after beating Wladimir Klitschko by unanimous decision on Nov. 28.
The rematch with Klitschko was twice postponed, with Fury citing an ankle injury for a proposed July 9 fight and his manager saying he was "medically unfit" for the rescheduled bout that was due to take place on Oct. 29.
The WBO wanted medical clarification on Fury and threatened to take his title if he did not provide updates this week.
Fury also faced a hearing after testing positive for a banned substance this summer. He was provisionally suspended, but the ban was lifted by UK Anti-Doping "pending full determination of the charges."
If this is it for Fury, he ends his career with a 25–0 record, with 18 of the wins coming by way of knockout.
– Scooby Axson
