Update: Team Fury statement re: Sunday Mirror allegation:– Team Fury/Hennessy Sports: We are baffled by today’s story in the Sunday Mirror. Tyson Fury absolutely denies any allegation of doping. He looks forward to recovering from his injury and defending his titles against Wladimir Klitschko in October.
More bad news for Tyson Fury. Hot on the heels of the heavyweight champion’s ankle injury that has forced him to postpone his July 9 rematch with Wladimir Klitschko comes a potential bombshell of a news story in The Sunday Mirror. According to the article, Fury is currently “at the centre of a doping investigation” (the exact words used in the news piece).
Apparently Fury’s sample, taken last year BEFORE he defeated Klitschko in November, allegedly (and it must be stressed that it is allegedly and nothing more at this point in time) showed traces of banned substance nandrolone. The alleged discovery led to an investigation by UK Anti-Doping officials. According to the exclusive story, Fury was called to a meeting last September where he was informed levels of the substance were found to be in his system; a higher level than what the human body naturally produces.
Fury is now expected, The Sunday Mirror reports, to face an independent panel, who will ask him to explain the high levels of the nandrolone.
Fury has not been able to be reached for comment and a member of The UK Anti-Doping board said that “UK Anti-Doping does not discuss or disclose details of any cases until due legal process has been completed.”
For the sake of Fury and the sport, it is hoped the heavyweight champ is found to be innocent. The sport can ill afford yet another high profile fighter failing a drugs test. Fury has always been a clean athlete and he has been vocal about drugs cheats. At his Homecoming press conference following the huge win over Klitschko last November, Fury told the gathered media that he was so afraid to touch anything in his dressing room in Germany for fear of unintentionally taking anything illegal. Fury said he was so careful, he became dehydrated due to not drinking any water until he returned home.
Again, it is to be hoped this issue can be resolved quickly and hopefully it is a situation Fury can explain when he is given the opportunity. It does seem, though, that Fury and controversy go together hand in hand.