Tommy Fury's dad John has claimed the British star did a "great job" in his exhibition bout with Rolly Lambert in Dubai.
Fury was set to take on Paul Bamba in a professional contest but the fight was shelved at short notice after a contract mix-up. Late-replacement Lambert was able to step in and save the outing for the Briton, but the event became classified as an exhibition.
The former Love Islander put on a laboured display in the ring, failing to KO his opponent before being booed during the fight by the disheartened crowd. However Fury's father John has claimed he told his son to take it easy during the exploit as to not ruin the format of an exhibition.
“We just want to get him used to the lights and the big stages," Fury Sr told Mirror Fighting courtesy of FreeBets.com regarding the short-notice bout. "It was an exhibition and that is what it was, Tommy is a talent. Mission accomplished. We were sorry it didn’t take place. There was a mix up in contracts. We made the weight on our contract and I think Global Titans put out a statement saying this. He got the job done, he had a run out.
"It wasn’t ideal, Paul Bamba didn’t do anything wrong. It was just a mix-up in communications really. Listen, the day got saved, Tommy had a run out. It couldn’t have ended any better to be honest. I said to him about this ‘ this kids fifteen stone’ but he said ‘I don’t care this is the only man available’.
"Exhibitions can get out of hand and turn into a real fight. I told him not to go mad, just to have a run out. You are not here to prove a point just go out and showcase your skills, and in my own mind I think he did a great job. He was 15-1 and some kind of WBC champion, Tommy proved he belongs in the ring with that class.”
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Most of the attention came on Fury's confrontation with Jake Paul after the fight, as many expected the Briton to put on a statement to display to lure the YouTube star into a contest next year. However instead 'The Problem Child' hurled abuse at his rival from a commentary position and was critical of his performance.
The pair clashed with Fury's dad even ripping off his shirt and trying to get involved, but Fury Sr believes that Paul showed his true colours by not stepping in the ring after the clash had finished. “He has had a lot to say hasn’t he? Like I say men meet before mountains," he continued.
"He had his chance to showcase what he had and he let himself down miserably. it showed he wouldn't fight Tommy. He wouldn't even get in the ring, was terrified and he kept walking backwards. He just doesn't want to fight Tommy."
