Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Boxing
Nasir Jabbar
Tyson Fury may be forced to follow a strict rule if his super-fight against Anthony Joshua goes ahead next year.
Fury is set to end his latest retirement from boxing as he eyes a return to the ring next year.
Promoter Frank Warren has spoken with Fury and mapped out his plans ahead of the self-proclaimed 'Gypsy King' resuming his legendary professional career.
An all-British showdown against Joshua has been rumoured, with Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn revealing a monstrous purse awaits both men if they can strike a deal.
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If Fury and Joshua agree to fight each other next year, then 'AJ' could look to enforce a controversial rule on his rival.
When the 37-year-old rematched Oleksandr Usyk last December, Team Usyk took exception to the Brit's beard and claimed it 'grossly violates' boxing rules.
Alex Krassyuk, who was promoting Usyk at the time, said: "Beard rule is grossly violated.
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"WBC rules clearly say: 'A boxer may spouse a trimmed beard and/or moustache as long as, in the discretion of the commission and the supervisor, the facial hair thickness does not: (1) cushion or in any way affect the impact or trajectory of punches; or (2) cause cuts or abrasions to his rival'.
"So, Tyson's beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further."
If Fury enters a proposed clash against Joshua with a beard, then the 35-year-old could look to enforce the rule.
Fury, who wore an eye-catching suit, arrived at Ricky Hatton's funeral on Friday with a somewhat clean-shaven look, but the beard could return once he embarks on another gruelling fight camp.
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If his facial hair is bushy and out of control, then Team Joshua could follow in the same footsteps of Usyk's camp by requesting it to be trimmed.
But Team Joshua will be hoping for a different outcome if such scenario arose as Team Usyk failed in their request as Fury did not have to cut or trim his beard despite calls to do so.
His manager Spencer Brown said: "Tyson Fury has boxed with a beard on many occasions as do other fighters, most recently [Artur] Beterbiev. Usyk himself has come out publicly and said Tyson having a beard is no problem.
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"There is no law or ruling in boxing to say you can't fight with a beard. It's ridiculous that this has already been brought up in a rules meeting to no avail. Simply put if Usyk had a beard we would have no issue. This is not a fashion show, it's boxing."