Tyson Fury's brother Shane says the former world champion will fight at Madison Square Garden on November 20 with or without Anthony Joshua, and is open to facing WBC champion Agit Kabayel should the all-British showdown fail to materialise.
Joshua and Fury signed to fight each other days after Fury's comeback win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in April. Both then came through tune-up fights unscathed, with Fury forcing Mariusz Wach to quit on his stool and Joshua surviving two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga in the second round last month.
Venue dispute stalls heavyweight showdown
As of yet, no official date or venue has been decided. Joshua and Fury are contracted to fight in the UK later this year, but broadcasters Netflix and the fight's Saudi backers want to move it to New York. Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn have submitted their demands to shift the clash across the Atlantic but are yet to receive a response.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, Shane Fury said: “The more I’m watching it, the less I’m thinking that this fight’s gonna happen.
“The fight’s on 20 November, time’s rolling on. It don’t affect us, because we’re fighting on that date anyway. Tyson’s over in America now, training as we speak. He’s got his nutritionist with him, he’s got his strength and conditioning [coach], he’s got his trainer.
“He’s training, so if it’s not [Joshua], Tyson will be fighting on that day, so it really don’t affect us. It really makes no difference to us, because we will fight on that date either way.”
Kabayel touted as potential replacement
Fury is open to the idea of his sibling taking on Kabayel. The German retained the interim title earlier this year against Damian Knyba, but was later promoted to full champion after Oleksandr Usyk decided to give up his titles. The pair have refused to fight in the past, but Fury believes a fight like that would change the 'Gypsy King's' mind.
When quizzed on the topic of Kabayel, Shane added: “Listen, it ain’t for me to talk about, but either way: we’re there and it’s a big fight. A big, big, big fight. A big fight. How can I say anything, but it’s a big fight. There’ll be someone lined up for a big, big fight – either way, if it’s AJ or not, Tyson’s fighting.
“Tyson’s in training camp with his trainer, his nutritionist, and his thing, and he’s taking it serious. How long have we got left? Twelve, 13 weeks? Whether it’s AJ or not, Tyson will be fighting. We ain’t bothered. We’re gonna be fighting on that date, so I’m told.”
