Tyson Fury informs WBC he will resume his boxing career
Given until this Friday, August 26, to decide, Tyson Fury has today informed the World Boxing Council that he will not retire or vacate his green and gold belt.
Expected by many, he will continue fighting, despite announcing his retirement just a few weeks back.
The news means that an undisputed championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk, the recent conqueror of Anthony Joshua, is still firmly in Fury's sights.
Tyson Fury has instructed his promoters to inform the WBC that he intends to continue fighting, Sky Sports understands.
The WBC heavyweight champion had floated the prospect of retiring and the WBC had given him until Friday August 26 to confirm whether or not he would retain its belt.
Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC president, has stated that an 'official decision' on Fury's status as WBC champion will be delayed until next Friday, September 2, due to the recent death of Fury's cousin, Rico Burton.
Sulaiman tweeted: "The @WBCBoxing acknowledging the tragedy which happened in the Fury family and in respect of their grief has decided to extend one week until Friday September 2 the official decision of @Tyson_Fury regarding his status as heavyweight."
However, Fury has instructed his promotional team to inform the WBC that he intends to resume his boxing career.
The 34-year-old is giving every indication he is targeting a fight for the undisputed world heavyweight championship against Oleksandr Usyk.
After his last bout Usyk went as far to declare that the only contest he was interested in now was Fury.
Usyk's promoter, Alex Krassyuk has already told Sky Sports the Tyson Fury fight is "in the making".
Fury's decision to retain the WBC belt is another step towards that showdown.
"Both fighters want it," Frank Warren, Fury's co-promoter has said.
"I'm confident we can make it happen and crown Tyson Fury as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
"It will be the biggest heavyweight fight in my time in boxing."
