Jake Paul has branded Tommy Fury a “joke” after insisting the Manchester-born fighter never wanted to fight him.
Fury pulled out of this weekend’s contest after suffering a broken rib and chest infection during his training camp, which encountered problems from the start.
Having planned to train in the United States, Fury instead had to return to the UK for personal reasons and pulled out of the first pre-fight press conference as a result.
He was present for a second TV appearance, with the event with Paul on BT Sport descending into chaos as the channel were forced to apologise for John Fury’s behaviour.
Shortly after though, Fury pulled out of the fight, with Paul now set to take on Tyron Woodley in Florida this weekend.
Fury’s camp are hopeful they can reschedule the fight for next year, although Paul and his trainer have both seemingly ruled out entering negotiations again.
And, speaking ahead of his bout with Woodley, the YouTube star didn’t hold back in his opinion of his former opponent.
“I wasn’t really surprised,” Paul told iFL TV. “Ever since he pulled out of the press conference and hadn’t been posting on social media, I felt like he didn’t really want the fight.
“It’s funny, he’s the ‘professional boxer’ and I’m the ‘YouTuber/Disney’, but I’m here getting the job done. He’s a joke.”
Paul now faces Woodley in a rematch in Tampa this weekend, having beaten him back in August, and insists he’s now taking on a tougher opponent.
“Tyron’s definitely a harder fight than Tommy Fury, he’s way more experienced,” Paul added.
“Tommy Fury’s never been past four rounds. Tyron Woodley’s been in there with killers, absolute monsters.
“He’s more experienced, he’s stronger, he’s faster. Tyron’s definitely a harder fight, but I already handled him the first time, I got even better, sparred 200 rounds since the last fight, and you’re going to see a different version of me.”
