Anthony Joshua has said that he is "sure" troubled world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury will return to the ring one day.
Fury could have his licence revoked by the British Boxing Board of Control and be stripped of his WBO and WBA titles after admitting to taking "lots of cocaine" in recent months in a magazine interview.
The 28-year-old also revealed that he was experiencing depression and claimed that he was unsure if he was "going to see the year out".
IBF heavyweight holder Joshua, who is being lined up for a possible unification bout with Wladimir Klitschko in Fury's stead, dismissed speculation that Fury has already fought for the last time.
"I am sure we will see Tyson Fury back in the ring again," he told Sky Sports News. "Tyson is a fighting man, a real talent and he is good for boxing in his own way. I really hope to see him getting back to what he does best.
"It's too easy to point the finger because none of us really know what he is going through. What I do know is he is a fighter and all fighters eventually come back."
Asked about the possibility of taking on Klitschko, he added: "A year ago I knew I needed more time before I fought a guy like Klitschko but a year has passed and I'm more mature and comfortable with it.
"I feel like this path was laid out for me. I've come up and won the belt and with Tyson also winning the belts it opened up the division and has given me the opportunity.
"It's all about creating the legacy and it's both an opportunity for me to win another belt and for Klitschko to win his back. It's the fight everyone wants to see."
Promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that there is a '70% chance' that the fight could happen before the end of the year.
Neil Wilkes
