Tyson Fury shocked the world on November 28, 2015, at the ESPRIT Arena in Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, when he defeated reigning and defending WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO heavyweight champion of the world Wladimir Klitschko.

It wasn’t the first time Fury shocked the world, nor would it be the last.

Team Fury released a statement last week announcing that the October 29 rematch between Fury and Klitschko has been postponed, again.

The statement said that Fury had “been declared medically unfit to fight,” which has caused an uproar.

Peter Fury, Tyson’s trainer/uncle, tweeted about the situation.

“With Tyson’s condition, he cannot be held culpable… He will not & should not be stripped of belts.”

Klitschko took the news of the postponement in his stride.

“Screw it,” he said. “As you already know, October 29 revenge against Tyson Fury is canceled due to whatever issue this time Fury has.

“I will move forward and I will keep you posted when and against whom my next fight is going to be staged. I will rely on information from the sanctioning bodies. They will move on with the titles Fury currently has.

“It’s very sad to see a champion unfit to perform due to no self discipline.”

While Fury is “afflicted with depression,” in the words of the London Telegraph, he appeared ringside for Saturday’s fight between Anthony Crolla and Jorge Linares and looked to be in fine fettle.

Peter Fury spoke with iFL TV and went on the defensive.

“He is seeking help and there will be a statement issued, probably on Tuesday. When he won the world title he said to me: ‘I came back, I picked up the paper, I expected to be celebrated.’ Straight away, he said, the hate campaign started. He was complaining about it a lot but said: ‘OK, we’ve got to accept it, I’ve won the world title and this is how I’m treated.’ On many occasions he’s asked: ‘What’s it for? Because if I’m not being credited for the work I’ve done and what I’ve achieved, why am I bothering?’

“I think that, because of the witch hunt against him and recent allegations, it’s put him over the edge,” Peter Fury continued. “He said: ‘If this is what boxing’s doing, I don’t want it.’”

Being a world champion comes with obligationss, one of which is to defend the title in a timely manner. The WBA is looking at this closely. The WBO sent a letter to Fury yesterday asking that his doctor contact them immediately.

“We would appreciate that the physician specifically clarifies the nature and extent of your condition and your prognosis for return to training and your return to competition.

“If the Championship Committee does not receive the complete requested information, i.e. the Interim Certification, together with the Psychological and/or Mental Evaluation, within the allotted time frame of 10 days, the Committee will proceed with the necessary appropriate action without the benefit of an appeal.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn believes Fury will be stripped of his belts.

“Yes, I do,” Hearn told Sky Sports News HQ. “It’s been nearly a year since he’s boxed. The governing bodies want that belt to be active so over the next couple of weeks, the contenders will be putting pressure on the governing bodies.”

Hearn, however, wishes Fury well.

“When Tyson is ready to fight again,” said Hearn, “we’ll all hopefully welcome him back into the sport. He’s great for the sport and has one of the biggest wins of all time. I want him in the division, Anthony Joshua wants him in the division. Everybody does because those big fights are out there.

“Hopefully he gets well soon and we’ll see him back in the ring soon but the show must go on and I think the governing bodies will be looking to act quickly.”

Hearn is looking to maneuver IBF champion Anthony Joshua into the October 29 slot left vacant by Tyson Fury.

“It’s a natural fight,” continued Hearn. “On Saturday, we reached out to Berndt Boente and since then we’ve had a couple of positive conversations and it’s a fight he really wants.

“If the WBA belt is on the line, which I believe it would be, then it’s a unification fight between Joshua and Klitschko. The deal has got to be right, of course. We’ve got Joseph Parker as a mandatory which is also a good fight if Klitschko doesn’t happen.

“I’m confident. I don’t want to get the fans too excited about the fight but I know Anthony wants the fight and Klitschko is up for it as well. It’s likely to be Klitschko against someone for the WBA title so the Joshua fight is very exciting.”

WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza has dispassionately observed the goings-on.

“Let’s see what happens,” Mendoza told Sky Sports. “I think we’re going to enquire with Tyson Fury to see what has happened.”

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.