Tommy Fury is finally set to face Jake Paul after a prolonged social media beef and two fight cancellations.
The 23-year-old is perhaps best known for a stint on Love Island in the UK, but resumed his fledgling boxing career as soon as that ended.
It’s this outside fame that has made him an ideal opponent for Jake Paul – an American content creator who has found a passion for boxing.
After two failed attempts, the pair look set to fight and put any speculation about who’s where in their careers to bed. Fury – who’s related to the heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson – has been sent warnings from his family about what might happen if he loses.
Tyson says he can stay in Saudi Arabia, and has in the past insisted he must change his name, whilst John, their father and Tommy’s trainer, has claimed that he will retire his son on the spot if he can’t beat Jake Paul.
Asked by BT Sport if these threats pile on pressure, Tommy said no.
“No, definitely not, because I know my family. At the end of the day, quietly, we’re all laughing in the background because we can’t believe how stupid this man’s [Paul] been.”
There’s no doubt that the threats – joking or otherwise, although John Fury does not seem to be joking – are adding intrigue to the build up of the fight.
Both men are supremely confident, and so fans know someone is going to leave the Middle Eastern arena with his tail between his legs.
Fury believes the fight is a sure thing – a winning lottery ticket.
“Tyson will be coming over. My dad will be there. Everybody will be out in full force in Saudi, because this is, let’s have it right, the biggest fight of my career. But it’s not the toughest test of my career, because I’ve had tougher spars in the gym.
And I know sparring isn’t fighting, but I’ll tell you one thing – I’ve got a plan from A to Z for this man. You know there’s a million and one things that he’s going to fall for and he doesn’t realise it. And this man’s jumping in at the deep end. I’m just smirking myself. I pinch myself every single day to see if it’s real. You want to pay me a heap of money to fight Jake Paul?”
The action goes down on Sunday February 26 in Saudi Arabia, with plenty of build up and antics expected between now and then. UK fans can tune in via BT Sport Box Office and US viewers will watch via ESPN+.