BOXING
Tommy Fury pulls out of Jake Paul fight
Many fight fans the world over were hoping for a Fury victory, however, they will now have to hope Tyron Woodley - who will take Fury's place - can go one better than he did last time.
One has been called the 'guy you love to hate' and the other is the brother of a champion, either way the fight won't happen
Tommy Fury pulls out of Jake Paul fight
On Monday Boxing fans were given some disappointing news when it was announced that Tommy Fury had withdrawn from his upcoming fight against Jake Paul. Paul himself took to social media to confirm the news. In an interesting plot twist, however, Paul also confirmed that Tyron Woodley will take Fury's place.
Initially set for December 18th in Tampa, Florida, the Fury vs Paul fight was highly anticipated as Fury - the half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury - was seen as the first 'real boxer' that Paul would face. In the end it was not meant to be.
"The Fury's have pulled out of the fight due to a 'medical condition,'" Paul said in his post. "I couldn't believe the news at first. It doesn't even seem real. He fumbled the biggest bag of his life, now he'll be watching at home paying me $60 instead of getting paid millions of dollars to fight me. When my team woke me up on Friday to tell me Tommy [Fury] was pulling out, I told them I'm ready to fight anyone on Dec. 18. Troy, Trey, Trevor, Travis. I don't give a damn who it is. ...So, as I predicted Tommy Fumbles and Tyron is there to pick it up, stepping in, and contractually he is getting an extra $500,000 if he knocks me out. First time I outboxed him. This time I'm gonna punish him and leave no doubt."
Paul vs Woodley will be grudge match
It was just a few short months ago in August when Woodley lost to the YouTube star in a cruiserweight fight by split decision. There was an ensuing war of words between the two vai social media, needless to say, the two fighters are not fans of each other. As such Woodley will definitely be out for blood when they step into the ring once again.
Why did Tommy Fury withdraw?
The speculation surrounding the question of whether or not Fury would fight, was already intense earlier in November. In fact Fury's own promoter, Frank Warren, was forced to address the concerns about the boxer's health when it was reported that he was ill with a cold. There has been no subsequent comment from Warren since the since Fury's withdrawal was announced, however according to SkySports, Fury is suffering from a severe chest infection as well as a broken rib.
The show must go on
Confirmed in October, the December fight which will air on pay-per-view fight was to be contested at 192 pounds for eight, three-minute rounds. Paul who now boasts a 4-0 record will take on Woodley in what will assumedly be the same format. As reported before 3rd ranked female boxer Amanda Serrano will fight against Miriam Gutierrez in the co-main event.