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Frank Warren applies for Tyson Fury's boxing licence, expects to promote him

Tyson Fury is preparing to return to boxing and is targeting a lucrative bout with Anthony Joshua. PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Frank Warren expects to promote Tyson Fury after applying for the former world champion's boxing licence and is confident of a future fight with Anthony Joshua.

Warren has applied to the British Boxing Board of Control for Fury to have his licence reinstated and suspension lifted after more than two years of inactivity and controversy.

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) announced last month that Fury can fight again after it backdated a two-year ban for testing positive for the steroid nandrolone in 2015.

Fury (25-0, 18 KOs), 29, wants his comeback in April after last boxing when he out-pointed Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles in Germany in November 2015.

The Board suspended Fury in 2016 after he tested positive for cocaine and the Lancashire-based boxer also admitted problems with mental health and excessive drinking.

"We're waiting for the Board to come back with a date for the hearing," Warren told ESPN.

"Whatever they require we will provide. We're trying to get is on sooner rather than later.

"I'm confident and positive there will be a positive outcome, but the Board will have a lot of questions. If he has to do a drugs test, he will have to do it just like other boxers do. There's isn't enough of that in boxing in my opinion."

April 14 in London or a week later in Belfast are possible dates for Fury's ring return on shows promoted by Warren and shown on BT Sport and BoxNation in the U.K.

"I'm going to be working with him [Fury]," Warren told ESPN.

"He asked me to announce a fight in April and that's what we're working on, a defence of his Ring belt.

"I'm not going to go into the details of the deal, it was a private conversation, but we have a deal and that's it. It's private and confidential.

"It's exciting and it's good to get him back in the ring. He's gone through so much stuff. Now it's time to go forward."

Fury's British rival Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) is now world No 1 after knocking out Klitschko last April and holds the IBF and WBA titles.

Joshua is being lined up to face Joseph Parker for the WBO belt next and Warren says a future fight with Fury can be done despite the obstacles with rival British promoters and broadcasters.

"Why would working with me stop the Joshua fight from happening?" Warren told ESPN.

"BT Sport and Sky Sports could share it, or who ever comes up with the right money gets it.

"Who says Anthony Joshua could be with Matchroom in seven months' time? His contract expires soon.

"Realistically he [Fury] needs about three or four fights very quickly. He's been out for a while, over two years, but whenever he feels it's right it will happen.

"It's not just about losing weight and being out for so long, it's about being in the groove again and getting everything right."