Fury doubted as Nelson makes telling comment about Paul fight

Johnny Nelson has branded Tommy Fury an ‘average fighter’. The former cruiserweight champion acknowledges that TNT has the Fury name but is nowhere near the fighter his brother Tyson is.

Fury (8-0) has had a solid start to his professional career, beating every man put in front of him. The Mancunian has mostly fought journeymen so far but is beginning to face undefeated domestic-level prospects as he goes through the gears in the paid ranks.

One fight that has always slipped by him though is the Jake Paul grudge match. The pair have been scheduled to face each other on two occasions to no avail.

The first date in December was cancelled after Fury was forced to pull out due to a broken rib sustained in camp. Then ahead of their August clash, their bout agreement was once again terminated when Fury was denied entry to the United States – where the fight was set to take place.

Speaking at the Wren Kitchens showroom opening in Sheffield, he said: “It might happen here in the UK and if it does, Jake Paul might decide to try and sell out Wembley or something like that, because he can put bums on seats.

“But that’s a good fight – you’ve got two guys that are of the same ability. You know, Tommy Fury, because he’s a Fury doesn’t mean he’s Tyson Fury, and I think these guys are probably at the same level. Good little fight.

“If I call it one way, it’s 50/50. I wouldn’t say Tommy Fury beats him [Jake], so 50/50. Tommy Fury is again an average fighter. Yeah, he’s got the Fury name, so he’s got the Fury attention, but he’s average.”

Fury’s next fight is set to take place on the upcoming Floyd Mayweather vs Deji undercard on November 13 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. He faces Paul Bamba (5-2) – a relatively unknown Puerto Rican light heavyweight based in New York.

Bamba has not fought the best opposition in his career so far. His previous seven opponents held a combined 25-49-3 record between them at the time of fighting him. While his two losses come against 3-5 Derrick Van and 1-7 Abraham Velazquez Salazar.