Following his knockout defeat to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul has shifted his focus back to a familiar foe: Tommy Fury. However, the social media star turned boxer has issued a clear, five-word ultimatum for the long-discussed rematch to materialise.
The Crucial Condition for a Second Bout
Paul's sole demand is that any future fight with Fury must be scheduled for 12 rounds. Their first encounter, which took place in Saudi Arabia in February 2023, was an eight-round cruiserweight contest that Fury won by decision. That loss, followed by the recent stoppage by Joshua in Miami on Friday night, remains one of only two defeats on Paul's professional record.
Since that initial loss, speculation about a rematch has been constant. Paul has now explicitly stated his position, warning that a second fight will happen "Only if it’s 12 rounds". This stipulation adds a new layer to the protracted negotiations between the two camps.
Accusations and Negotiation Stand-Off
The path to a rematch has been fraught with public disagreements. Fury, the former Love Island star, has expressed willingness to fight again, telling ESPN he would accept "in a heartbeat" and that a second bout is "inevitable". However, he turned down a proposed rematch scheduled for June this year, citing a need for two or three warm-up fights first after a period of inactivity.
Paul's promotional partner, Nakisa Bidarian, has accused Fury of dodging the fight, claiming he declined "multiple offers", including a lucrative headline spot on Netflix. Bidarian suggested the financial terms offered were unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated. Fury counters that Paul has been offering "stupid numbers that are not realistic" and must "stop talking b******" before they can negotiate seriously.
What's Next for the 'Problem Child'?
If the Fury rematch cannot be agreed upon, Jake Paul is believed to have a lengthy list of potential future opponents. Names in the frame reportedly include:
- Boxing stars like Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford
- UFC figures such as Conor McGregor, Kamaru Usman, and Alex Pereira
- Internet boxing rivals like KSI and his own brother, Logan Paul
Paul's fight with Anthony Joshua, broadcast globally on Netflix, marked a significant step up in competition. His focus now appears split between securing a decisive revenge match against Tommy Fury under his own terms and exploring other high-profile opportunities in the crossover boxing scene. The ball, for the moment, seems to be in Fury's court, with Paul's 12-round demand now the central condition for their rivalry to continue.
