Fury rematch with Klitschko confirmed – WBA champ Sturn under criminal probe

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LONDON, Sept 7, (AP): Tyson Fury’s rescheduled heavyweight title rematch against Wladimir Klitschko will take place on Oct 29 — if the British fighter is cleared by a doping panel before then.

Fury beat Klitschko in November to claim the WBA, WBO and IBF titles. A rematch was originally scheduled for July 9 but was postponed after Fury said he sustained an ankle injury.

It was disclosed in August, on the same day Fury announced the injury, that the new champion had been charged by the UK Anti-Doping agency and suspended from the sport after testing positive for a banned substance.

Fury and his cousin Hughie, a heavyweight boxer who was also suspended, had their bans lifted “pending full determination of the charges”, UKAD said in August .

The agency said an anti-doping panel would be held in “due course”. That should happen before next month’s fight at the Manchester Arena.

“In circumstances where a provisional suspension has been lifted, then UKAD takes the position that matters should be fully determined before the athlete that has committed the alleged anti-doping rule violation competes again”, UKAD told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “This is to preserve the integrity of the competition and the sport in general”.

Fury is unbeaten in 25 pro fights, with 18 knockouts. Fury’s lawyer said in August that the 28-year-old fighter was suing UKAD over allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs.

Meanwhile, German prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation against WBA super middleweight champion Felix Sturm because of doping.

Cologne prosecutor Daniel Vollmert says Sturm is suspected of violating Germany’s new anti-doping law and could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

Sturm tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol after his split decision victory over Fedor Chudinov on Feb 20 in Oberhausen, Germany. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Sturm won the fight against the previously unbeaten Chudinov on the cards of two judges, while one ruled it a draw. Many fans felt Sturm had been the inferior fighter.

His victory made him the first German to be a world champion five times, having also held the WBA and WBO middleweight titles. He has moved back to his native Bosnia.

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