John Fury’s approaching the third attempt of a fight between his son, Tommy, and Jake Paul in a calm manner.
It’s a far cry from his last public interaction with Paul in Dubai. The father of the world heavyweight champion didn’t take kindly to the American’s commentating on Tommy’s exhibition bout, and tore his top off before threatening to fight the 26-year-old ‘bareknuckle.’
Now, as a fight finally looks to materialise between the two young stars, the elder Fury is playing nice. He told FreeBets.com that it’s almost a done deal.
“We are 99 and three-quarters per cent there and for my money, it is on. We are ready, he is ready we are just waiting now to get the final confirmation and I think they will announce it very soon.”
“We are not in the ring yet, things can happen and until both men have faced each other it is not a foregone conclusion but we want it.
“If this fight doesn’t take place, it won’t be because of us. I’m doing my best to keep the lid on everything to keep it so we can perform and so far, so good.”
Despite the positive news, fans are still cynical. On the previous two occasions the pair have signed to fight, both have fallen through at the last minute due to issues on Fury’s side.
If it does finally happen, John Fury believes the bad blood will subside in the aftermath.
“After the fight, whoever wins, it will be a handshaking job, a pat on the back well done. Deep down, that is what the Furys are about, especially John Fury, the best man wins and gets his hand shook.
If Jake Paul can beat Tommy, I will be the first one to pat him on the back and give him the height of respect. Up close and personal.”
Perhaps he’s willing to say he’ll congratulate Paul because, in his mind, it will never come to that. Fury believes that there’s no way his son loses.
“The best man will win. I don’t think Jake Paul has got a chance. I really don’t.
“Looking at his past performances and who he is has been boxing, Tommy is a far cry. Another level. But fair credit to him for stepping up to the plate.
In the past, he has said that if his son loses to Jake Paul, he’ll say that he has ‘no right’ looking at conventional boxing and will walk away from training him.
The pair are pencilled in to face on February 25 in Saudi Arabia, although no official announcement has been made as of writing.