By: Sean Crose
In what really shouldn’t be surprising at this point, Jake Paul has given up on facing his counterpart and upcoming cruiser Tommy Fury next month at Madison Square Garden. The match is supposed to be the pay-per-view card main event during Showtime. Fury, however, was denied entry to the United States. According to recent comments from Fury’s promoter Frank Warren, Fury – Tyson Fury’s younger brother – did not make an embassy appointment to allow himself to come to the state. Paul gave Fury until Wednesday to make something happen. Nothing happened, and so Paul is now doing his business elsewhere.
“Fury has received notice of termination,” Paul posted on social media Wednesday. “MVP did everything he could to help him and the team. He didn’t care and literally ran away. 2nd time in a row he pulled out. For the second time in a row, I’m going to go ahead and take on a new opponent shortly. August 6. MSG. “Word is now available via SI’s Chris Mannix that Paul can now face Hasim Rahman Jr in place of Fury. Rahman is the son of former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman. As for Fury, he said he still wants to face Paul next month… only that the duel will have to take place outside the US.
Fury stated in a public statement: “I am deeply saddened and disappointed by the problems I have faced upon entering the United States. “I believe this fight will happen when this issue is resolved and we come to a solution.” The undefeated boxer added the following: “I want to make it clear that I will fight in a neutral country where both sides can participate. This can be anytime, anywhere, anywhere.”
At least for now, Paul probably wanted nothing of it. The truth is, despite his inexperience, the social media star turned boxer is eager to go back and fight often, without the occasional interruption. Furthermore, the man challenges himself, not against a world-class opponent he has no chance against, but the kind of competition that doesn’t give him a guaranteed victory. “Shout out to Nate Robinson,” Paul tweeted, referring to the former basketball star he met and beat in the ring. “NBA players have more guts than most of these warriors.”
Whoever Paul’s opponent is, it’s clear that the boxer has his sights set on entering the ring this August 6 in New York.
