Jake Paul has admitted he is willing to wait and face UFC legend Anderson Silva rather than take on Tommy Fury in a rescheduled bout after his rival's latest win.
Fury fought on the undercard of his brother Tyson's successful heavyweight title defence against Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night. He outpointed Polish star Daniel Bocianski and made another fight call-out to his long-term rival in the aftermath of the victory.
The pair were set to meet in the ring back in December last year but Fury was forced to withdraw after suffering a broken rib in training camp. Paul has previously refused to commit to any rescheduled date and has recently called out UFC legend Michael Bisping.
However, Paul has now named Silva as a potential opponent after making a claim the stadium was "empty" during the young star's recent undercard outing. “Congrats on beating a 10-1 fighter. But that stadium was empty. When I fight the stadium is full. When Tommy fights no one gives a f***. And that’s in his home country. Let’s see how Anderson Silva’s event does.”
Fury failed to produce a vintage stoppage on the undercard but managed to get over the line and defeat his opponent, who carried a winning record of 10-1. He has previously pleaded with Paul to recommit to their rivalry after his misfortunes last year but is not willing to wait around and disrupt his career.
The British star branded his rival a "bum" after his victory on Saturday and has called for Paul to sign a fresh contract. "I felt very good," Fury said after his win. "It was my first fight in a year, he's a very tough guy and I almost got a stoppage numerous times.
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"But I just have one thing to say, Jake Paul - this should have been done a long time ago in December and if you want it I'm here and I'm ready for you. I'll cut you and chop you to bits just like I did there, get the contract signed you bum, let's get it done once and for all.
"That lad in there would have killed Jake Paul, that lad is a true professional. He was cut to bits, still in there giving me everything that he had, he'd slap Jake Paul and it'd be over. Jake Paul, I'm going to end your career, you're a bum and you're no good. Let's get this fight done and get this settled."
Paul has announced that he will be looking for an opponent to make an August return and has previously admitted his admiration for UFC legend Silva. The Brazilian star will first have to come through an exhibition test unscathed on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather's latest outing against Don Moore.
The event will take place on a helipad atop the plush Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, with the 47-year-old taking on fellow countryman Bruno Machado.
