By Edward Chaykovsky

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18KOs) will be back in 2017, better than ever, according to his uncle and head trainer Peter Fury.

Last November, Tyson pulled off one of the biggest upsets in years when he captured the IBF, WBO, IBO and WBA ‘Super’ heavyweight titles by winning a twelve round decision over Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf.

It wasn't long before he was stripped of the IBF title for failing to make a mandatory defense against Vyacheslav Glazkov. Fury was unable to comply with the IBF's order due to a contractual rematch with Klitschko.

Fury never made it back to the ring for a first defense. He battled depression, substance abuse issues and vacated his titles back in October.

The goal for Fury is to reclaim the heavyweight belts. The IBF is held by Anthony Joshua, who faces Klitschko in April with the vacant WBA, IBO titles at stake, and Joseph Parker now holds the WBO title.

“As we speak now, he is with his brother and he’s with his father and he’s training every day,” Peter recently told 4c Sports Media. “He’s running, he’s training and he’s asking when I’m back in the gym. So he’s going to be back. Expect Tyson in the ring around April/May next year – he’ll be back. He’ll be back stronger, positive-minded. He has not lost anything really.”

“He’s coming back to not only get the belts, but to prove that he is the only heavyweight in the world. He is coming back with a vengeance and I expect that late on next year or the early part of the year after, he will be back fighting for the belts again. He’ll have a couple of fights – two or three fights – and he’ll be back fighting for the belts.”

If Peter and the rest of the team had their selection, they would go right after WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36KOs), who makes a voluntary defense in February.

“Personally, for me, I’d like to see Tyson fight Wilder,” said the coach. “I think that’s a massive fight across the pond. I think with the two of them, the way they speak and the way they go at it and they are two colossal-sized giants aren’t they? I think they are well matched. I think that would turn into a super fight. So, I’d like to see Tyson face Wilder. That’s a fight we want anyway. So, hopefully Wilder stays undefeated and towards the end of next year we’d like to try make that fight.”