TYSON FURY has a replacement opponent on standby in case Dillian Whyte fails to show up for their heavyweight headliner.
The 33-year-old British rivals are due to settle their score on April 23 with a record-breaking 94,000 fans set to flock Wembley Stadium.
Frank Warren with Tyson Fury and Bob Arum
But promoter Frank Warren has been feuding with Whyte, who has largely gone radio silent in the pre-fight build up.
And with so much on the line heading into the historic WBC title fight, Warren is taking no risks with a substitute opponent already sourced.
He told SecondsOut: “The truth of the matter is, we cover all bases.
“Would you not think an event of this magnitude, we would not be covering that scenario? Of course we cover that scenario.”
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The fight was confirmed after Warren bid £30.6million to stage it, beating Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
But Whyte was a no-show at the ticket launch press conference and has not referenced the fight on social media.
His legal team have accused Warren of failing to meet their demands, while the Hall of Fame promoter hit back with similar accusations.
He added: “We’re paying him $7.5million and he’s got an upside of $4million.
“Of course I’m upset. What have we gotta say then? We pay fighters to do nothing?
“Where does he think the money is generated from? It’s generated from the promotion.
“It’s not like, ‘Oh here’s a purse bid, here’s your money, sod off and show up on the night.’
“Did he do that for any fight that he had with Matchroom? Did he not show up for one single press conference announcing a show for Matchroom?
“No. So why’s he doing this?”
Dillian Whyte is set to fight Tyson Fury on April 23
