Tyson Fury has certainly proven that he's serious about his comeback.
He's lost four stone thanks to a dedicated ketogenic diet and intensive training regimen and while his Instagram tells us that he's putting in the work in the gym, he's also keeping his paperwork in order.
After having his UK Anti-Doping ban backdated last month, the British Boxing Board of Control confirmed on Friday that they'd agreed to lift the suspension of Fury's licence pending medical clearance.
"Following an interview with Tyson Fury at the British Boxing Board of Control offices earlier today, the suspension of his British Boxing Board of Control boxer’s license will be lifted subject to receipt and clearance of all medical requirements," the BBBofC said in an online statement.
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The biggest payday for Fury is obviously a clash with fellow undefeated Brit Anthony Joshua but it's expected that Fury will accept a tune-up fight in the Spring first and it was believed that it would be 2019 before the paths of 'AJ' and '2 Fast' converged.
But in light of Fury's reinstated licence, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that we could get the biggest heavyweight fight in decades as early as the summer.
"It could happen in the summer," Hearn told
Sky Sports. "If he wants to go straight into that fight, no problem for Anthony Joshua.
"But what we also want is the best Tyson Fury, we don't want a guy who comes out after two-and-a-half years, Anthony wins that one and everyone says 'but it wasn't the best Tyson Fury'. We want the best one possible.
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"He should have some warm-up fights but if he looks bad in them, it decreases the value of the fight and it might decrease the interest for the fight, but one thing is for sure, Tyson Fury is an excellent heavyweight and Anthony Joshua wants to beat him and beat everyone."
Up next for Joshua is a unification clash with WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker on March 31 in Cardiff and it was believed that, with a victory, Joshua would then attempt to add Deontay Wilder's WBC crown to his collection.
However, now that Fury is free to box again, the 'AJ' fight can be expected to gather momentum and Hearn has advised the controversial heavyweight to sit down and talk about the bout if he's truly serious about it.
"I think that was a formality but it's great to see him back in the division," Hearn said.
"Anthony Joshua has proven time and time again that he will fight anyone and in his 21st fight, he will have been in two heavyweight unification fights and his fifth world title defence, which is incredible.
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"So, if Tyson Fury wants a fight with Anthony Joshua, it is only a phone call away. He likes to tweet about it rather than talk about it, say over a table.
"He's an excellent fighter, he's a great character for the sport of boxing and Joshua against Fury is a huge fight, but we have to deal with what's available right now, what's the reality and the reality is we want all the belts.
"If there is a defence against Tyson Fury, yes please. If he gets his licence, yes please, for British boxing. But rather than tweet about it, we should sit down and try and make the fight."
