Tommy Fury said today he will fight Jake Paul anytime, anyplace, anywhere but it won’t be in the USA as things stand.
The British Light Heavyweight (8-0, 4 KOs) was given a Wednesday deadline to resolve the issues that were blocking him from entering the country for last week’s press conference for their proposed August 6 fight.
Paul says he will still fight on the same date with Hasim Rahman Jr set to step in and take Fury’s place. Writing on social media Paul said: “Fury’s received a termination notice. MVP did everything it could to help him and team. He wasn’t interested and he literally went into hiding.
“Second time in a row he has pulled out.”
“Second time in a row I’m going to step up and take on a new opponent on short notice. August 6 Madison Square Garden.”
Fury, younger brother of WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson, used his Instagram profile to issue a statement in response.
“I’m gutted and disappointed in regards to the issues I have faced with entry into the USA. This is something that myself or my team could have never anticipated happening. This situation has been left with my lawyers as being denied entry to a country is obviously a very serious issue and it needs to subsequently be resolved.
“I am confident this fight will happen when this issue gets resolved and we come to a solution. I want to clarify that I will fight in a neutral country that both parties can enter. This can be any time, any place, any where.”
Fury withdrew from their originally planned bout on December 18 in Tampa, Florida due to a bacterial chest infection and broken rib. Paul went on to fight ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley for a second time and beat him once again but with a sixth-round knockout. ‘TNT’ Fury last fought on April 23 at Wembley Stadium beating Daniel Bocianski during the Tyson Fury-Dillian Whyte undercard.