Former WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) has made it clear that he won't be forced into tough fights or allowing himself to be rushed into bouts with elite opponents.
Earlier this week, Fury reached an agreement with UK Anti-Doping to settle an ongoing dispute, where the drug testing agency was claiming the unbeaten boxer had tested positive for a banned substance in early 2015.
Fury has been out of the ring since November of 2015, when he traveled over to Germany to pull off a shocking upset with a twelve round decision over Wladimir Klitschko to capture the heavyweight crown.
Next month, Fury stands to reclaim his boxing license, when the British Board of Control hold a meeting on the matter.
Fury lost his license last year, when he admitted to abusing recreational drugs and alcohol. The boxer was also battling depression.
Now Fury is back in training, losing weight, and looks forward to fresh start in 2018.
Since the news broke of his agreement with UKAD, an army of boxers have been calling him out to fight/
But Fury is looking to take his time and not rush his comeback. He wants to take a few tuneups first, to shake off more than two years of ring rust. It's not likely that he'll jump at promoter Eddie Hearn's recent suggestion to make his ring return against durable contender and WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
"I'm inspired to get back. I always thought I'd be able to fight again. It was devastating mentally," Fury explained to The Telegraph.
"I felt like I'd reached my Everest when I beat Wladimir Klitschko to claim the world title, but now I'm motivated again. I won't be forced into fighting these elite, hard guys until I'm fully fit.
"I'm not a silly man. I won't be rushed back, because one punch can change everything in a heavyweight fight."