Jake Paul has joked that he is suffering from a back injury after 'carrying' the promotion for his upcoming bout with Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia. The YouTube star and Fury are finally set to fight on February 26 in Riyadh, after a years-long feud that included two cancelled bouts since the end of 2021.
Paul and Fury went head-to-head earlier this year in London, but the Brit has since pulled out of multiple media obligations. They were due to have a launch press conference in Saudi Arabia this afternoon, but Fury has refused to show up, insisting that he will do more promotion once he arrives later this month.
In a scripted video on his Instagram stories, Paul can be seen reading lines to help advertise the fight before seizing up. He then says: 'My back just hurts so much from carrying the promotion. Where you at, Tommy? We're out here hustling, selling the fight. You unprofessional swine!'
Paul announced on Twitter last week that the press conference would be missing one half of the main event, saying: 'Tommy Fury is scared. Told my team he can’t make the kick-off press conference next week in Saudi Arabia because he needs more time to train. Thought you said you wouldn’t even have to train to fight me? You and your papa [John Fury] are scared.'
The Brit replied a few hours later, insisting that he wouldn't be skipping the fight and that he simply wanted a later press conference. 'The press conference can wait until I get to Saudi Arabia you fool,' he wrote. 'I’ll be there on the 16th. 3 weeks and it’s over you big stiff sweaty goth.' Paul then replied: 'Show a little respect for our hosts you blighter. Saudi Arabia I will see you this coming week inshallah.'
When Paul and Fury faced off in the ring just before the Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde fight last month, security were needed to pull the pair apart as their head-to-head got too heated. Later in the evening, Fury refused to attend a joint interview with Paul or their post-event press conference, leaving the American to face the media alone.
