TOMMY FURY said Jake Paul would be the ‘easiest fight’ of his career and slammed claims he was ‘scared’ of the YouTuber.
Fury was left gutted having withdrawn from the celebrity grudge match in December after suffering a broken rib in training.
Paul, who knocked out replacement opponent Tyron Woodley, has since had free rein to accuse the former reality TV star of getting cold feet.
But in a response statement, Fury insisted his ‘injury was legitimate’ and questioned why his American rival has refused to reschedule.
He said: “I really don’t want to keep talking about this but I just can’t stay silent after comments Jake Paul has made in a recent interview.
“I’m absolutely sick of Jake Paul saying that I was ‘scared’ to fight.
“I had a broken rib and a bacterial chest infection which left me completely medically unfit to box – as stated by multiple medical professionals.
“I’m now fit and healthy and have very clearly stated that I am ready to fight on a rescheduled date… but where is he?
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“Me having to pull out the fight was the best thing that ever happened to him and he well knows my injury was legitimate.
“This man never wanted to fight me, if he did we’d have a rescheduled date for you all and the fight would be back on which is exactly what I want… The easiest fight of my career.
“I’m not going to allow him to use the excuse ‘Tommy was scared’ any longer’.
“I think we can all agree now that the only person that looks scared is him. That’s all I’m saying on the matter.”
Woodley, 39, was knocked out in his rematch with Paul just four months after initially losing on points.
He now joins YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37, on Paul’s KO list.
But Fury’s fight withdrawal means the 5-0 social media sensation is still yet to face an opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
Despite the criticism of his opposition, he is unwilling to rearrange a fight with Fury, who instead needs to earn it.
Paul told Behind The Gloves: “Of course he wants the fight but right now, he needs to go fight on his brother’s undercard.
“Maybe gain some attention. Gain some fans. Because, people only know about him because of me and his girlfriend.
“So he needs to go fight on a Tyson Fury undercard, maybe get a W, get a knockout or something spectacular.
“Because right now, it just doesn’t make sense and I’m not giving him that payday, I’m going to make him work for it, because I’m cynical like that.”
