World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury could lose licence

Tyson Fury faces having his licence to box withdrawn by the British Boxing Board of Control

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury could lose his licence after he uncovered he was taking cocaine. 

The British fighter, 28, who claimed he had resigned on Monday before withdrawing the remark three hours later, has also said he is suffering from depression.

British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) general secretary Robert Smith said cocaine use is "against the law". 

The governing body, which meets on 12 October, stripped Ricky Hatton of his licence after drug use allegations. 

Related Articles:

The English boxer lost his licence in 2010 and the former two-weight title holder has reportedly texted Fury "asking him to give me a ring if he needs me".

The BBBofC meeting has not been called only for Fury's case, but rather Smith said the body "can't ignore the law of the land", adding: "It's drug use and we will deal with it accordingly."

BBC Sport has reached the WBO and WBA - the two associations with which Fury holds heavyweight titles - however is yet to get a reaction.

The WBO and WBA are not governing bodies and can strip Fury of the title, declare the titles vacant, or he can vacate them.

Tyson Fury has not fought since beating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015

Smith said: "We deal with the licence, so in theory, if we were to suspend him they would have no choice but to strip him because he can't defend them, can he?

"You can't just take a man's licence away, without taking the proper procedures, if we decide that's the right thing to do."

Fury - undefeated in 25 professional fights - has not fought since November 2015 when he inflicted a first defeat on Wladimir Klitschko in more than 11 years, winning the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts.

He was stripped of the IBF strap within two weeks as he could not face mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov and a rematch with Klitschko has twice been postponed.

The Manchester-born fighter also faces a UK Anti-Doping hearing in November after traces of a banned substance were allegedly found in a urine sample in June.

On Monday, Fury tweeted: "I'm the greatest, and I'm also retired". But three hours later posted: "I'm here to stay".