Heavyweight living legend George Foreman has heralded Tyson Fury as “distinctive” and a “maverick” and says that boxing needs him while he urges his linear successor to get back in the ring as soon as possible.

Foreman, in an absorbing interview with the Daily Telegraph’s Gareth Davies, added that the heavyweight division now lacks the buzz for the casual fan whilst Fury takes time away from the sport to deal with personal health issues.

‘Big George’ said, “There are a lot of good heavyweights today and I couldn’t have said that two years ago. After Tyson Fury took the title away from [Wladimir] Klitschko, a name was added. He’s a strange fella, but a wild guy with a good style.”

He added, “Fury is distinctive. He’s the maverick. And I think that right now he is at the height of his popularity. Sorry to say, but his troubles brought that. Nobody paid much attention before but now you read that ‘boxer suffers this and that’ and he becomes the same as the rest of us out there. We want to see more of him. It makes him human. We need him, boxing needs him – and he needs us. We all need boxing to get better, so I hope he instantly gets back on his feet.”

The Two-Time Heavyweight Champion of the World, who will be forever remembered for the epic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ super-fight against Muhammad Ali and for regaining the World Heavyweight Title at 45, sympathises with Fury’s troubles.

He continued, “There’s no apprenticeship with the role. You are either the heavyweight champion of the world or you’re totally not. Once you get to be the champ of the world, all kinds of trouble comes your way. A lot of blessings as well, a lot of wealth. But you have to be prepared and armed against the trouble.”

“The weapon of mass distraction is that microphone. You can get in more trouble with a microphone and a pencil and piece of paper than a time bomb. You’ve got to be careful about what you say.”