Tommy Fury: is Jake Paul fight still on, why was he denied entry to US, what was said on Twitter

The former Love Island star took to social media to explain that he had ‘no clue’ as to why he had been stopped from travelling to America
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Tommy Fury has revealed that he has been denied entry to America after attempting to travel for the preview for his upcoming fight against YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.

The two had finally arranged for a rematch after Fury was forced to pull out of his long awaited fight against Paul due to a broken rib and chest infection in December last year. The appointment came around after Paul took to Twitter to issue Fury a 24 hour ultimatum.

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It seemed as if everything was ready to go for the fight in August, but now Fury has said that that his application to enter America has been rejected.

This is everything you need to know.

Why was Tommy Fury denied entry to the US?

The 23-year-old younger half-brother of Tyson Fury posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday, recorded on Monday evening, where he explained the situation – claiming he has “no clue” as to why his application to enter the United States has been rejected.

“So I just want to come on here and set the record straight before anybody else tries to, me and my team this morning arrived at Heathrow airport ready for the press conference, ready to fly out,” he said.

“As soon as I entered the airport I got pulled to one side and I was told by a Homeland Security officer that was there, that my ESTA has been denied and I wasn’t able to travel to the USA for a reason that I apparently know.

Tommy Fury poses during the weigh in event at the State Theater prior to his August 29 fight against Anthony Taylor on August 28, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Tommy Fury poses during the weigh in event at the State Theater prior to his August 29 fight against Anthony Taylor on August 28, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Tommy Fury poses during the weigh in event at the State Theater prior to his August 29 fight against Anthony Taylor on August 28, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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“I can stand here and say I have done absolutely nothing wrong and I have no clue why I’m not allowed to travel to the USA.

“I’ve been training for a fight this whole time and that’s all I’ve been doing. I have no clue why they will not allow me to travel today and neither does any of my team or my lawyers.

“So now I’m having to go to the embassies and all this sort of stuff, trying to resolve it and I’m in the middle of training, guys, I don’t know why this has happened today – it is a massive shock to me and my whole team.

“Obviously it is a matter that needs to be resolved, it is government issues, it’s a lot bigger than the fight right now and I’m trying to get it sorted but I just wanted to let you all know where it was at.”

How has Jake Paul responded?

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Following the news about Fury, Paul took to Twitter to comment on the situation, accusing his opponent of trying to “weasel his way out” of the fight.

He wrote: “Tommy, no matter how hard u try to get out of this fight, I’m going 2 do everything in my power 2 not let u weasel ur way out. My team & my partners have made it clear the steps u need to take 2 solve ur latest excuse. Take them or admit ur a scared little b**ch. #TommyFumbles”

Is the fight still on?

The fight against Paul isn’t scheduled until August, but this latest hiccup has cast doubts on whether or not it will be going ahead as planned.

Fight organisers, Most Valuable Promotions, founded by Paul, issued a statement that said the conference had been “postponed” and that it was “surprised” to hear of Fury’s issues.

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In a thread of tweets posted on Twitter, Most Valuable Promotions said: “Despite many assuranes by Tommy Fury and his team that he was able to come to the U.S., and knowing that Tommy was in California just last month, we were surprised to learn that he had an issue at Heathrow airport on Monday.

“As a result of circumstances out of our control, the scheduled press conference for Wednesday at MSG has been postponed. We are working with our partners at SHOWTIME and Madison Square Garden and will share more information as soon as we are able.”

What was Jake Paul’s 24 hour ultimatum on Twitter?

Prior to Fury’s issues with gaining entry to the US, Paul had taken to social media to call the fighter out.

He accused Fury of pulling out of their fight once again, writing on Twitter: “Tommy Fury, you pulled out last year. Then you agree to fight me now but your dad is trying to pull you out again?

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“We’ve given you everything you asked for - $2 million purse [tick], VADA testing [tick], tampons [tick].

“You have 24 hours to clear this up or I will never give you this opportunity again.”

The former Love Islandstar responded to Paul online with a short and simple: “See you August 6th pal.”

Paul then replied: “Actually we are scheduled to be in New York next week for the kick off press conference and I’m not your pal, buddy.”

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The YouTuber added to his tirade against Fury on Twitter with a video in which he said that he was told that Fury wouldn’t travel to the US for a fight without his father in his corner.

He said: “What’s the excuse? “Oh I can’t come and I can’t do it because my dad can’t be there with me during the fight.” Tommy, your dad has been banned from the United States for 15 years.

“You’ve known this the whole entire time. He’s a criminal. He’s not allowed in. When you fought Anthony Taylor in Cleveland, neither Tyson [Fury] or your dad were there with you in your US debut. Now all of a sudden you need your team with you?

“That doesn’t make any f**king sense.”

Fury quote tweeted the video from Paul and wrote: “The fight is on. August 6th. Forget a team or any other bulls**t. I don’t need anybody to help me lay you flat on that canvas. Oh and thanks for finally signing the drug testing… you only agreed to it when you realised the fight was at risk - who needs who [laughing emoji].”

Why is John Fury banned from the US?

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Fury Sr has been denied a visa to enter into the United States due to his prior 11 year sentence for gouging out a man’s eye during a fight that broke out at a car auction in 2010.

He was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in 2011 and was eventually released in 2015 after having served four years of his 11 year long sentence for the attack which left a man half blind.

John Fury served four years of an 11 year sentence (Photo: John Fury/@gypsyjohnfury)John Fury served four years of an 11 year sentence (Photo: John Fury/@gypsyjohnfury)
John Fury served four years of an 11 year sentence (Photo: John Fury/@gypsyjohnfury)

When Fury Sr wasn’t granted entry into America for Tyson Fury’s fight against Deontay Wilder in 2018, he told the Daily Mail at the time: “There’s a slight problem because I’m not allowed to go into the [US], I’ve been a nauhgty boy and there is no point in hiding it.

“I’m not allowed in the country. My life is pretty perfect at the minute - the only thing I’m upset about is that I can’t go to America and be there with [Tyson Fury].”

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