Friday 45 Sports Friday, April 13, 2018 Former heavyweight Tyson Fury to make boxing comeback in June ‘I can’t wait to get in there and prove I am the best’ LONDON: Former heavyweight world boxing charge was announced. Fury also failed a test champion Tyson Fury is to make his comeback for cocaine in September 2016 and later admit- for a first fight in two-and-a-half years in Man- ted using the recreational drug to deal with de- chester on June 9 with his opponent still to be pression related to his injury and UKAD named, promoter Frank Warren announced yes- problems. terday. The 29-year-old Briton-who has not He has previously laid down a challenge to fought since his shock win against Wladimir Kl- compatriot Anthony Joshua, who unified the itschko in November 2015 to become the then WBO, IBF and WBA titles against New Zealand’s undisputed heavyweight world champion-was Joseph Parker in Cardiff last month. cleared to fight again in December by UK Anti- However, Fury will have to wait for his shot at Doping (UKAD) after accepting a backdated Joshua, who is targeting a blockbuster unifica- two-year ban for testing positive for the banned tion bout with fellow unbeaten world champion steroid Nandrolone. Deontay Wilder, who holds the WBC heavy- “I can’t wait to get in there and prove I am the weight belt. Fury said he believes Wilder is “top best, even after all this time out,” said Fury. Fury of the pile” of the current crop of heavyweights and his cousin and fellow heavyweight Hughie but insisted “they’re all very vulnerable and very Fury, 23, tested positive in February 2015. How- beatable too”. Warren, though, believes Fury ever, they were not charged by UKAD until June needs “three or four fights” before being ready 2016, by which time Fury had beaten Klitschko. to take on Joshua. Both fighters blamed the result on eating wild “He’s going to be busy. He needs to get some boar. A rematch with Klitschko was scheduled rounds under his belt,” Warren said. “He needs MANCHESTER: Former British heavyweight world boxing champion Tyson Fury (L) shakes hands for July 2016 but Fury postponed the fight, citing to get himself fighting fit. He’s fit but he needs to with promoter Frank Warren during a press conference to announce Fury’s comeback, in central London yesterday. — AFP a sprained ankle, on the same day the UKAD be fighting fit.” — AFP Hamilton tries to bury hatchet Biathlon rocked by with Verstappen raids over ‘cover-up’ SHANGHAI: Lewis Hamilton said he apologised yesterday to Max Verstappen for sparking controversy with a coarse slur of Russian doping aimed at the hard-driving Dutchman after the two collided in the Bahrain Grand Prix. The English world champion has faced questions after he was heard referring to Verstappen as a PARIS: Biathlon’s world governing body said yesterday that its “di•••ead” shortly before podium ceremonies in Bahrain, a president is stepping down after raids in Austria and Norway over comment picked up by microphones in the drivers’ room. allegations that officials took bribes to cover up Russian doping. Hamilton had later gone on to say the 20-year-old Verstap- Anders Besseberg “has informed the IBU Executive Board that he pen’s youth and inexperience were harming Red Bull’s is stepping down from his position as long as the investigation is chances. ongoing,” the International Biathlon Union said. But with the two set to race again this weekend in the Chi- According to a damning World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) nese Grand Prix, the 33-year-old Hamilton said he approached assessment reported by France’s Le Monde, the IBU did “everything Verstappen in Shanghai in a bid to lower the temperature. Lewis Hamilton so that no proceedings would be opened against the Russians” over “Being that I am the older driver I thought it important that I doping. WADA confirmed to AFP on Wednesday that it had con- went to him,” the four-time world champion said. The race was won by Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari, giving ducted “an investigation into the activities of the IBU... related to “So I just shook his hand and said I’m sorry about the last him two straight victories after also taking the season-opener doping” but gave no further details. race. Regardless if it is his fault or my fault, it doesn’t really in Australia. Hamilton has blamed Verstappen for what he Austrian prosecutors said Thursday following their raid on IBU matter. It’s in the past,” he added. “Hopefully that sign of re- called a “silly” and “unnecessary collision”, while Verstappen headquarters in Salzburg this week that are investigating possible spect... helps you kind of turn the page and move forward.” has insisted Hamilton was at fault. On Thursday, Hamilton doping, fraud and bribery. In their sights are IBU staff and athletes It wasn’t clear how Verstappen reacted to the apology. But praised Verstappen’s ability. “I have a lot of respect for Max and officials from Russia’s biathlon team, prosectors said. the Dutch driver, whose aggressive style has made him a fan and he’s got great potential to be a champion. He’s such a tal- The allegations include that possible cases of doping “were not favourite on the Formula One tour, earlier told reporters he ented driver,” he said. reacted to in an appropriate manner” and that “bribes of $300,000 won’t change how he operates. Asked why he thinks Hamilton “Still, it’s such a learning process with all the pressure being were promised and/or accepted”, a statement said. took aim at him, Verstappen said: “Why? in a top team, and you’re constantly learning... So he’s going It added that in addition to Austria, other raids took place in Nor- Because its quite simple and easy to blame the younger to have some great rides and he’s going to have some bad way as well as in Germany as part of the enquiry. The allegations driver.” “That’s the only way I can see it. But like I said, you races, just as I will.” “But I think respect needs to be kept be- centre on the 2017 biathlon world cup in Hochfilzen, Austria as well know, these things happen. There’s no reason for me to change tween all the drivers.” — AFP as activities date back to 2012, prosecutors said. According to anything.” Verstappen and Hamilton collided early in the race Hamilton is going for a record sixth Chinese Grand Prix win WADA, areas of concern included fears over “biological passports”, in Bahrain, forcing the Dutchman to retire and the Briton to this week with Mercedes aiming to bounce back after Ferrari’s “Besseberg’s unwavering support of Russian interests”... and “the settle for third, just behind his Mercedes teammate Valtteri two consecutive victories. — AFP initial awarding of the 2021 world championships to Russia”. — AFP Bottas..