Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/boxing/article/2025750/wladimir-klitschko-says-british-world-heavyweight-champion-tyson-fury
Sport/ Boxing

Wladimir Klitschko says British world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury dragging boxing ‘through the mud’

The eagerly-awaited rematch between the pair has twice been postponed, with the Briton now saying he has taken to drinking and cocaine to deal with depression

Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Photo: EPA

Wladimir Klitschko has accused world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of throwing boxing into disrepute after the Briton twice called off a fight against the Ukrainian, briefly retired from the sport and admitted to substance abuse.

WBA and WBO champion Fury had been due to defend his titles against Klitschko in July, but pulled out with an ankle injury.

The fight was then rescheduled for this month, but postponed again due to an unspecified medical condition, with Fury making further headlines by telling Rolling Stone magazine he had taken to drinking and cocaine to deal with depression.

“Fury is dragging boxing through the mud,” Klitschko told Bild newspaper.

Wladimir Klitschko (left) against Tyson Fury in November 2015. Photo: AFP
Wladimir Klitschko (left) against Tyson Fury in November 2015. Photo: AFP

Klitschko, who lost his titles to Fury in a surprise defeat last year, has been waiting for almost 12 months for a rematch.

“This just shows how unfair Fury is,” Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente told the newspaper. “He stalls with Wladimir. He blocks the world title.”

Fury has also been charged with an anti-doping rule violation by UK Anti-Doping after a urine sample from February 2015 - nine months before his victory over Klitschko, showed traces of the banned stimulant nandrolone, although he has denied doping.

The 28-year-old announced on Monday his retirement from the sport in an expletive-laden tweet, only to abruptly reverse the decision hours later, saying he planned to carry on fighting.

Tyson Fury, celebrates with the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts. Photo: AP
Tyson Fury, celebrates with the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts. Photo: AP