by Phil D. Jay

Tyson Fury (19-0, 14KOs) will soon consider other options as the possibility of securing target opponent, former WBA world champion Ruslan Chagaev (30-2-1, 19KOs), seems destined to fail as the two sides are unable to make it past the negotiations phase.

The former Irish champion, along with trainer and uncle Peter Fury, had focused all their efforts on securing the Uzbek fighter for a November date in Las Vegas or Dublin, but have been left frustrated at a lack of enthusiasm from Chagaev.

“We have asked Chagaev for a response in writing if he wants fight or not. In the next few days we will be looking for other options once he has officially turned the offer down,” Peter Fury told World Boxing News.

Fury, 24, is looking to build on his impressive 19-0 record with a world name in readiness for a title shot sometime in the next twelve months and had previously ruled out past world champions James Toney and Jean-Marc Mormeck.

The 6'9 puncher was hoping to face a former recognized beltholder for his 20th pro outing and may now be forced to look elsewhere due to a lack of available opponents - unless 'White Tyson' responds favorably to the offer already on the table. Chagaev had recently mentioned that he was having some trouble with respect to hiring a new training team after parting ways with Universum Promotions.

Phil D. Jay covers boxing for worldboxingnews.net