British boxer Tyson Fury has reportedly applied to the British Boxing Board of Control for the release of his boxing license ahead of a sensational return to the world of boxing after a lengthy ban. According to Dailymail, the former heavyweight champion, who has not fought since dethroning Wladimir Klitschko back in November 2015, announced on Twitter on Wednesday that he would seek to regain the licence he lost amid self-confessed problems with drugs and depression.


According to the report, Fury has been free to apply for his licence since December, when he reached an agreement with UK Anti-Doping over a positive drugs test dating back to 2015. But it took nearly a month for Fury to make an application.


The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed the receipt of the application through promoter Frank Warren. Warren explained that though Fury was eligible to apply for the release of the license since December, 'it wasn't the right time until now. Now we've applied, and we expect to go up before the Board sometime in February.'


The former unified world champion is hoping to return to the ring in April but neither an opponent nor a TV platform for the fight has been announced. He then hopes to regain the world titles he lost and meet Anthony Joshua in an all-British blockbuster. Before then, however, Fury must satisfy the board that he is fit to fight. And Smith has confirmed that the 29-year-old may have to pass a drugs test.