Tommy Fury’s fight with Paul Bamba is OFF following a dispute over weight limits.
Fury shocked fans yesterday by coming in 6 pounds over the light heavyweight limit of 175lb. Bamba weighed in comfortably under.
Despite huge backlash from fans, it now appears that the disparity may have been in the fighters’ contracts. It’s unclear what Fury’s weight clause was, but Bamba was not happy with the fight going ahead without sufficient compensation.
Speaking to Fred Talks Fighting, Bamba said:
“Global Titans has cancelled my event due to a lack of being able to come to a mutual and amicable agreement. I wasn’t given [what I wanted.] They’ve been telling people they offered me a bunch of things.
Ultimately, when I get home and there’s a lot less laws to worry about I will be a lot more vocal about this.
At the end of the day, there was two separate contracts for the weight like I’ve been stating, which is not fair. I don’t know who’s fault that is. I’m not placing blame on anybody, but it’s not right.
I made weight. I did what I needed to do. I was willing to make a negotiation and make things happen if things were done the right way. It’s about 2 o’clock, we’re all supposed to fight in about eight hours. I gave them a time frame, they did not meet me at that time frame.”
For what it’s worth, Fury’s team appeared to be doing what they could to allow the fight to go ahead. Bamba said that, despite positive talks with his opponent’s father, it was ultimately Global Titans who called time on talks and pulled the bout.
“John Fury actually gave me a call, met me outside and he was trying to make it work. And then we were interrupted by a representative from Global Titans and we were told that the fight was off .
We were both pretty much told to stop negotiations, they [Global Titans] no longer cared. I appreciate John Fury for being super respectful, and if your son still wants to fight me I’ll come to the UK no problem. I would love that fight – I just need to know the weight ahead of time.”
The fight was due to take place on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather’s latest exhibition in Dubai.
It’s unclear if there is a back up opponent available for Fury, who has now had his last three organised fights pulled because of various issues.