Boxing: Tyson Fury on threshold of ring return after board of control licence meeting

Tyson Fury. Photo / Getty Images.

Tyson Fury was last night on the verge of being cleared to resume his boxing career - and pursue an all-British mega-fight with Anthony Joshua - after being told his licence to fight would be reinstated pending a medical.

The British Boxing Board of Control announced it was ready to sanction Fury's return to the ring following a meeting with him at its offices on Friday morning.

The 29-year-old had his licence suspended in 2016 after testing positive for a banned steroid and admitting to depression and cocaine abuse.

He accepted a backdated two-year ban last month, leaving him needing only a licence to fight for the first time since he stunned Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion in November 2015.

Serious doubt was cast on whether he would seek that from them or another sanctioning body when he launched a foul-mouthed Instagram attack on the British board.

Claiming to have been "treated like a piece of s---", Fury said: "Who knows? I might not even go back to the British Boxing Board of Control after how they have conducted themselves and the manner in which they behaved around the whole thing.

"So get it out of your mind that it's cement I am going with you guys. Because I have a vast array of board of controls around the world with open arms welcoming the Gypsy King."

But Fury ultimately went with his home board, which said on Friday: "Following interview with Tyson Fury at the British Boxing Board of Control offices earlier today, the suspension of his British Boxing Board of Control boxer's licence will be lifted subject to receipt and clearance of all medical requirements."

That decision edged Fury closer to a lucrative showdown with reigning IBF and WBA champion Joshua, who has demanded his rival first prove himself in a comeback fight.

That is unlikely to be until April because Fury needs to lose the remainder of the weight he piled on during his absence from the ring.

In the meantime, Joshua faces WBO champion Joseph Parker in a unification bout on March 31.

On Thursday, Fury offered to assist Parker in his preparation, tweeting the New Zealand Fighter: "If you want I'll come spar you when [you're] in the UK training for the fight. It will help both me and you. You won't find better sparring than me I promise you. Let me know pal?"

The post was retweeted by Parker.