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Tyson Fury taking inspiration from 'old champ' Muhammad Ali in his pursuit of Anthony Joshua

Tyson Fury celebrates after defeating Wladimir Klitschko to become World Heavyweight Champion on November 28, 2015

Tyson Fury wants to emulate Muhammad Ali by making a comeback after years on the sidelines – and is targeting Anthony Joshua.

The legendary Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight championship and spent nearly four years out of the ring after refusing to be drafted into the US army for the Vietnam War, before returning to eventually reclaim his titles against George Foreman in 'The Rumble in the Jungle'.

Fury drew comparisons with current world heavyweight champion Joshua, posting on social media [sic]: "The old champ coming back to fight a man who every1 thinks will ko me."

Fury, who at 29 is just months older than Ali was when he returned to boxing, remains undefeated having beaten Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 for the world title.

His statement continued [sic]: "I will not lay down or be afraid of some muscles & I have the mentality of a winner a man who has never lost a fight. A true champion coming back to claim his thrown [sic], This is my era they are from my time, I must destroy them."

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Adam Smith believes Tyson Fury will return to boxing and says he could give Anthony Joshua "a lot of trouble"

Fury was quickly stripped of the IBF belt and then vacated his WBO and WBA versions due to mental health issues. He is currently without a boxing licence, pending the resumption of his hearing with UK Anti-Doping.

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith told Sky Sports: "It's quite simple, Fury's legal team need to agree a date [to resume the hearing which was adjourned in May].

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"At the present time, as I am standing here now, it hasn't been agreed.

Of course we want it done. We are as frustrated as anybody else, because I get questions about Fury on a regular basis, but ultimately it is up to them.
Robert Smith, BBBofC

"We are ready to go. UKAD do all our anti-doping for us, they have an independent panel that is dealing with the case and we are trying to get a date finalised. But we are unable to do so because they [Fury's legal team] haven't confirmed one.

"Of course we want it done. We are as frustrated as anybody else, because I get questions about Fury on a regular basis, but ultimately it is up to them."

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Joshua knows he must face other contenders before Fury

Meanwhile, Joshua, who made a successful fourth defence of his IBF and WBA 'super' titles against Carlos Takam last weekend, has revealed that his promoter Eddie Hearn is in contact with Fury.

"Eddie has been on the phone to Tyson, trying to make things happen and support his cause," Joshua told Sky Sports News. "This is a fight, down the line, that might happen.

"I wish him the best of luck with what he's going through because we need to see him back in the ring."

Deontay Wilder defends his version of the world heavyweight title against Bermane Stiverne, live on Sky Sports, in the early hours of Sunday morning at 1am. Before that, on Saturday night, Dmitry Bivol, Jamie McDonnell and Scott Quigg box in Monte Carlo, live on Sky Sports from 7pm.

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