Tyson Fury’s brother Shane has claimed that the “Gypsy King” will definitely box on 20 November, even if Anthony Joshua withdraws from their planned super-fight.
Fury and Joshua are contracted to finally square off after years of waiting, in one of the biggest British bouts in boxing history, and 20 November is the date being mooted.
However, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has repeatedly said that his boxer has signed to face his fellow heavyweight in the UK, whereas other key figures are aiming for New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
“The more I’m watching it, the less I’m thinking that this fight’s gonna happen,” Shane Fury told Boxing King Media on Tuesday. “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.”
When asked whether Fury could box champion Agit Kabayel, who gained the WBC belt after it was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk, instead of “AJ”, Shane said: “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.
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“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.”
Tyson, 38, last boxed in late July, stopping a 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in seven rounds. The fight, which took place in Thailand, did not air live anywhere.
One day later, Joshua stopped relative unknown Kristian Prenga in two rounds in Saudi Arabia. However, Prenga floored the 37-year-old twice in the first round.
Those two bouts were seen as warm-ups for Joshua vs Fury, but that week news emerged that ring walks would need to place at 2am in London if Wembley Stadium were to host the fight.
Subsequently, Madison Square Garden was made the frontrunner to host the battle of former world champions.
“Listen, this fight should’ve been in England, but the people who’s paying for this fight to be on, they don’t want it in England,” said Shane.
“I’m sure, when someone’s spending £200m – whatever the number is – they want the best return. And the best return, I’m sure they haven’t buggered up on that.
“We either watch it like we have done, like I’ve done all my boxing-viewing life – when the big fights happen, they’re in America, as normal – or we don’t get the fight.
“Listen, Tyson is a road man; he’ll get anywhere. Wherever the fight is, that’s where he’ll go, and his fans will follow.”
