Tyson Fury to face Joey Abell after Gonzalo Omar Basile withdrawal

British heavyweight Tyson Fury has insisted that he will respect Joey Abell's power when the two meet at the Copper Box Arena on February 15.

American Abell has been drafted in as a replacement for Gonzalo Omar Basile, who has a lung infection, but Fury has revealed that he doesn't expect an easy encounter with the knockout specialist.

The 25-year-old told ESPN: "Abell is big and he can punch - just what I want on my comeback.

"One thing that I do respect about him is his power. He's got a great knockout record and in the heavyweights, it only takes one shot to turn things around."

Abell, who recently troubled Kubrat Pulev before losing inside five rounds, has stopped 28 opponents during a 36-fight career, but he has also suffered defeat on seven occasions.