Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tyson Fury sets sights on breaking Joe Louis’ heavyweight title record ahead of boxing comeback

The 29-year-old will regain his boxing licence if he passes a medical

Jack Austin
Tuesday 20 March 2018 14:55 GMT
Comments
Tyson Fury responds to Anthony Joshua insult

Tyson Fury has set himself the ambitious target of breaking the record of 25 world heavyweight title defences set by Joe Louis as he prepares for his comeback to boxing.

The former unified world champion has not stepped into a ring competitively since defeating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, battling problems with mental health and drugs ever since.

The 29-year-old has been nearing a ring return in recent months as he attempts to regain his boxing licence and has posted a number of videos of himself on social media shedding the pounds with new trainer Ben Davison.

Fury receiving his licence hinges upon him passing a medical after accepting a backdated two-year suspension following a positive test for nandrolone, and he is still lacking a return date, venue or opponent, but that has not altered his end goal.

“I've just set myself a goal of beating the great Joe Louis' record of 25 title defences,” Fury said on his Instagram page. “Wladimir Klitschko almost beat Joe Louis' record until I beat him. Even if I have three fights a year, I've beaten him.

“It's a hard challenge but I've never set a challenge I didn't make. If anyone is capable of doing it, I'm capable.”

Fury has already called out two of the three champions of the heavyweight division in Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua, with the latter putting his belts on the line in a unification fight with Joseph Parker on 30 April.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in