Tommy Fury and Jake Paul’s overly hyped fight has been cancelled – and fans are fuming.
The rivals were supposed to fight it out on December 18 following months of trash talk and heated drama between the pair. Undefeated pro-boxer Tommy Fury was forced to drop his eighth professional fighting debut due to “a bacterial chest infection and a broken rib.”
Posting on Twitter, promoter Frank Warren shared a statement from Fury that said he was “absolutely heartbroken.”
The statement read: “I am absolutely heartbroken that I have been forced to withdraw from my fight with Jake Paul due to a bacterial chest infection and a broken rib.”
“I am absolutely heartbroken that I have been forced to withdraw from my fight with Jake Paul due to a bacterial chest infection and broken rib.” - @tommytntfury pic.twitter.com/R6a4CfH8FY
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) December 6, 2021
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One Twitter user, who claimed to “know Jake personally”, speculated that the cancellation was a set-up.
“Here’s how I feel the Jake Paul fight went down since I know Jake personally,” they said. “I could see it on a chalkboard:
“1. Announce fight with Tommy Fury / 2. Get some hype for fight and people think Jake will finally lose / 3. Plan “injury” so Tommy backs out. 4. Fight Woodley again.”
However, the 22-year-old turned to Instagram with receipts to “prove” he cannot fight, sharing a photo of his fractured rib.
One Twitter user joked: “Honest to God haven’t watched the video yet and I guarantee you Tommy says 3 of these things: Absolutely gutted, I look forward to fighting Jake Paul, I’m a fighting man.”
They certainly weren’t far off.
Paul, who is now set to fight Tyron Woodley on December 18, slammed his opponent’s withdrawal as “an embarrassment.”
When asked on Pat McAfee’s live show how devastated he felt about not fighting Fury, Paul said: “I really wanted to fight this guy and it sucks. The whole thing seems a little bit sketchy and we can’t get a real answer. It just feels like this kid doesn’t wanna get into the ring.”
Logan Paul has also spoken out, saying he “woke up this morning feeling really bad for his brother.”
“It’s a good thing you’re beautiful, you sexy blue-eyed beast,” he said, directing Fury, “cos’ you are a p****.”
Logan Paul reacts to Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury being off…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 6, 2021
[🎥 @LoganPaul] pic.twitter.com/Pq4VzzyLTk
Naturally, furious fans headed to Twitter to express their frustration at the “sh** show.”
Many of which are eager for dad John Fury to step into the ring, who certainly doesn’t shy away from confrontation.
If true that Tommy Fury has pulled out of the Jake Paul fight there is only one man who should step in... pic.twitter.com/KeoLpDGymW
— Boxing Exposure (@BoxingExposure_) December 6, 2021
Can’t for the life of me figure out how Tommy Fury may have broken his ribs and had to pull out of the Jake Paul fight. 🥴 pic.twitter.com/0ou2viK89o
— Most Valid Opinion MVO Uncensored Podcast (@izdatyofaceee) December 6, 2021
Maybe Big John should take on Jake Paul
— Leonard (@Leonardbiker) December 7, 2021
So did we forget this ?
— The Boxing Mania (@TheBoxingMania) December 6, 2021
Tommy fury is not injured, he’s scared of Jake Paul, end of story pic.twitter.com/UgGPL1wJMP
if Jake Paul refuses to take a drug test pre fight, then Tommy Fury has every right to drop out IMO
— Reece Ward (@reecewardd_) December 6, 2021
Looks like John Fury is getting ready to take Tommy Fury’s place against Jake Paul 😂pic.twitter.com/nc935MsMGb
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) December 6, 2021
Damn Tommy Fury really did pull out of the fight vs Jake Paul. Now we have Jake vs Tyron Woodley 2…. I was looking forward to this fight ugh
— Troydan (@Troydan) December 6, 2021
Jake, reschedule the fight. I was really looking forward to this. Your PPV numbers will be massive with Tommy now this fight has been built up so much. People don’t really want the Woodley rematch. We want Fury Vs Paul
— Mackster (@jimmymack1986) December 7, 2021
Tommy Fury really pulled out of the Jake Paul Fight. Unbelievable
— . (@Alex_proxi) December 7, 2021
Jake vs Woodley 2 could be the start to an unprecedented downward spiral for Jake
Tommy Fury trying to get into the family home Xmas day after withdrawing from the #JakePaul fight. #Joker #PaulFury pic.twitter.com/6Peh35XlRW
— Jamie Evans (@Evans707) December 6, 2021
Now, that’s a fight we’d love to see.