Prior to the shock confirmation that Jake Paul would fight former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on the 19th of December in Miami, the social media influencer was sounding out other potential replacements after the plug was pulled on his bout with Gervonta Davis after domestic abuse allegations were filed against the 31-year-old.
That fight was scheduled to take place on 14th of November, but in light of accusations made against the WBA lightweight champion, Paul’s camp decided to pursue alternative names with a clear aim of getting the YouTuber in the ring before 2025 was said and done.
Ryan Garcia, Nate Diaz, and Francis Ngannou had all been approached in the wake of news that Jake Paul would no longer fight in November, with the YouTuber’s business partner telling TMZ thatthere were probably 30 fighters who accepted to fight him. A list that even included the undisputed Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford, if the partner is to be believed, before Joshua was eventually decided on.
Tommy Fury Rejected Jake Paul’s Rematch Offer
One man who turned down the opportunity to fight Paul when handed the proposition will perhaps come as a shock. Even more so with the fact that he has already crossed paths with The Problem Child in a professional bout and proved victorious, one Tommy Fury.
The cruiserweight bested Paul in Saudi Arabia by way of split decision back in 2023 and, in doing so, left a stain on his opponent’s near-perfect 12-1 professional record. In an effort to right that wrong, the younger brother of Tyson Fury was offered a reported $15m incentive to run the fight back. Although the possibility of a rematch was likely doomed from the start.
Tommy Fury Blocked From America
Tommy Fury tried to make it Stateside for a fight back in 2022 at Madison Square Garden, but had to back out after his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) application was rejected prior to the start of press conference commitments.
That denial of access to the country is said to be in the wake of US sanctions placed against suspected Irish crime boss Daniel Kinaham and his association with Tyson Fury, although confirmation of that fact has never been confirmed.
Both men took to social media to portray their side of the story, Jake Paul taking a swipe at his previous opponent, while Tommy Fury aimed to shed light on just why he had to say no to the lucrative payday.
Jake Paul will fight Anthony Joshua in an eight-round sanctioned fight on the 19th of December at the Kaseya Center, Florida.
