Jake Paul will no longer fight Tommy Fury after Fury withdrew from the fight. He now fights Tyron Woodley but had plenty to say about Fury.
After lots of planning and hype, Tommy Fury is out of his scheduled boxing bout against Jake Paul. Instead, Paul will have a rematch with former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on Dec. 18.
Showtime announced the news of Fury’s exit in a morning press release on Dec. 6. They cited a “medical issue” as the reason for Fury withdrawing from the contest. Fury later released more information stating he suffered a broken rib and a chest infection.
That same Showtime press release announced that Woodley would take Fury’s place. Paul defeated Woodley via split decision in August. Paul outboxed Woodley but did get caught with several hard shots in what proved to be a competitive matchup.
Paul met with the media hours after the initial news that Woodley would replace Fury. Paul didn’t hold back on his disappointment with Fury and questioned Fury’s motives for pulling out of the fight.
“I question everything about the Fury family,” Paul responded to FanSided. “This kid is 22, right? You throw a 22-year-old in who has never accomplished anything himself. The only reason he’s anything is because of his brother. He’s had a silver spoon in his mouth his whole entire life. He’s gotten fame because of his brother.
Jake Paul displayed very little respect for Tommy Fury after he pulled out of their boxing match
Paul added, “He’s never actually had a real opponent. He’s only ever been put in with people who were meant to lose. When you throw in that, you throw in the fact that you’re fighting me – I’m a scary guy to fight – the smack talk, the pressure, all of this, I think he cracked and tried to find a way out. I truly believe that in the deepest bones of my body.”
Those are indeed fighting words from Paul. Fury was also absent during their kickoff press event. Paul used that moment to insult Fury in a harsh poem that got very personal.
Paul was asked about a future bout with Fury, but he was lukewarm to that idea.
“Him pulling out of the fight does give me hesitation to fight him in the future,” said Paul. “It really does. He didn’t show up to the press conference. Then he pulled out of the fight. He’s done a terrible job at promoting the fight that we had. He posted on social media once every other week. He’s not as hyped as everyone thought. I’m pissed off now. I don’t like them. I don’t like anything to do with that family. I don’t really see a reason to come back next year and give him that big of an opportunity and that big of a payday.”
Surprisingly, Paul was mildly complimentary of Woodley. The two disdain each other, but a basic amount of respect is present.
“I definitely respect Tyron for stepping in,” said Paul of Woodley.” He has balls. Tyron deserves a lot of credit for stepping in here. But I’ve made a ton of adjustments, and he’s going to be fighting a different person Dec. 18. I’m excited to show him and the world that.”
It doesn’t sound like Paul and Fury will cross paths, but Woodley gets a second crack at Paul and a shot at redemption. Showtime pay-per-view will broadcast Paul vs. Woodley 2 from Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL.