Jake Paul has given Tommy Fury less than 72 hours to prove he can travel to the United States - or lose his chance to earn $2million.
Paul and Fury agreed to fight in New York on August 6 with the Brit accepting the career-high seven-figure purse. But he was unable to travel to the United States for a press conference last week after being held at Heathrow Airport.
Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight world champion Tyson, has yet to visit the US Embassy in an attempt to resolve the situation, and Paul is close to moving on. "Tommy is officially out by Wednesday morning if he doesn’t go to the Embassy or come out of hiding," he wrote on social media. "Three other opponents lined up. I’m built different."
Paul looks set to return to the ring next month regardless of Fury's availability. The YouTube star will headline the famed Madison Square Garden alongside world champion Amanda Serrano who is looking to bounce back from her defeat by Katie Taylor in April.
Potential opponents appear to be at a premium, however, with Mirror Fighting revealing last week that UFC legend Anderson Silva is not in contention after committing himself to the undercard of Floyd Mayweather's next exhibition bout in September.
Paul has long has his sights set on current UFC star Nate Diaz who is desperate to be released from the promotion without fighting out the final bout on his contract. But UFC president Dana White has insisted the welterweight fulfils his deal.
Paul also ruled out a clash with former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr with whom he has previously engaged in trash talk. "Was near the top of the list but unfortunately he is going through rehab. Hopefully in the future," he added.
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Fury was initially due to take on Paul last December but pulled out at two weeks' notice after breaking a rib in training. He was also suffering from a chest infection and was replaced by Tyron Woodley who had lost to Paul on points four months previously.
The former UFC champion was knocked out in the sixth round of the rematch as the pair's rivalry was settled in concussive fashion. Paul then took a break from the ring to promote Serrano's undisputed clash with Taylor before turning his attention back to Fury.
