British boxer Tyson Fury has relinquished his WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles in order to focus on his recovery.
The controversial 28-year-old was expected to be stripped of the belts by the boxing authorities due to the sportsman not entering the ring since his victory over Wladimir Klitschko last November.
Fury, who reportedly tested positive for cocaine recently, has taken the step to vacate his titles after pulling out of his rematch with Klitschko on two occasions.
The fighter, nicknamed 'The Gypsy King', was deemed "medically unfit" for the bout, which was due to be held at the Manchester Arena on October 29.
In a statement, Fury said: "I won the titles in the ring and I believe that they should be lost in the ring but I'm unable to defend at this time and I have taken the hard and emotional decision to now officially vacate my treasured world titles and wish the next-in-line contenders all the very best as I now enter another big challenge in my life which I know, like against Klitschko, I will conquer.
"I feel that it is only fair and right and for the good of boxing to keep the titles active and allow the other contenders to fight for the vacant belts that I proudly won and held as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world when I defeated the long-standing champion Wladimir Klitschko."
Fury is believed to be struggling with depression.
