• Heavyweight

Tyson Fury vacates titles

Tyson Fury has handed back his British and Commonwealth heavyweight belts © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: 'Unbeatable' Fury ready for Rogan
  
• News: Price slams 'coward' Fury for running scared
  
• News: Price camp table offer to Fury
  

Tyson Fury has vacated his British and Commonwealth heavyweight belts, ending the prospect of an imminent fight with David Price.

Price was the mandatory challenger to face Fury and the two camps had held talks, but Fury has vacated his titles and claims he is now setting his sights on securing a world-title shot.

"It's been an honour to have won and held both the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, but as I'm now currently No. 7 in the world it's time to move on," Fury said. "I'm really excited about my future plans as I'm doing things differently and currently training like a Trojan in pursuit of becoming heavyweight champion of the world."

Fury's camp claim Price's team turned down their offer, but this has been dismissed by Price's promoter Frank Maloney.

"Boxing is all about money," he said. "I believe Tyson Fury will regret turning this fight down.

"As a promoter you take a risk when it comes to purse bids, you can bid too high and make a massive loss or too low and stand the chance that your fighter will fight on another promotion and TV channel.

"The BBBofC [British Boxing Board of Control] have purse bids for a reason and this fight generated more interest than normal with all the top promoters in the UK bidding for it.

"This is a real disappointment for us all. A show that all heavyweight boxing fans wanted to see gets taken away before any chance of a bid was accepted."

Maloney added: "He [Price] will definitely fight for the vacant British and Commonwealth titles in his next fight."

In a statement the board's secretary Robert Smith said: "Prior to purse bids being opened today, Mr Tyson Fury relinquished the British heavyweight championship.

"The British Boxing Board of Control will consider the status of the championship later today."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.