Tommy Fury pulls out of Jake Paul fight - Tyron Woodley to step in for rematch as replacement opponent

Tommy Fury has withdrawn from his fight against Jake Paul, who will instead have a rematch with Tyron Woodley.

Fury is suffering with "a severe chest infection and a broken rib", he confirmed.

"I am absolutely heartbroken that I have been forced to withdraw from my fight with Jake Paul," Fury said.

"The beginning of my camp was going so incredibly and I never expected anything to come in my way from a victory on December 18.

"I can't express how disappointed I am and I really do hope we can get this fight rescheduled in the New Year, I want this fight to still happen more than anything. I'm now regretfully putting my focus on recovery and a further reschedule date."

Fury's promoter Frank Warren said: "We are gutted for Tommy. This was a big opportunity for him to show the world what he can do. Unfortunately, he's had to withdraw now as he's clearly not anywhere near 100 per cent. We'll be working with Jake Paul's team to see if we can reschedule for the New Year."

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Paul said about Fury: "Who knows what is going on in that camp?

"I have fought with a broken nose. I have fought while sick.

"The pressure got to him. The [trash talk] got to him."

Paul will instead have a second fight with former UFC champion Woodley, who he outpointed earlier this year.

Paul has claimed that if Woodley knocks him out he will pay his new rival an extra $500,000.

He said about Woodley: "When my team woke me up on Friday to tell me Tommy was pulling out, I told them I'm ready to fight anyone on December 18.

"First time I out-boxed him. This time I'm gonna punish him and leave no doubt."

Fury and Paul had argued back and forth culminating in a heated press conference last week but they must now wait to bring an end to their feud.

Paul is undefeated in his four professional fights since swapping the world of YouTube for boxing.

The younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has won each of his seven fights.

Sunday December 12 - Top Rank in New YorkVasiliy Lomachenko vs Richard CommeyJared Anderson vs Oleksandr TeslenkoNico Ali Walsh

Sunday December 18 - Top Rank in MontrealArtur Beterbiev vs Marcus Browne - IBF and WBC light-heavyweight titles

Saturday January 29 - BOXXER in CardiffChris Eubank Jr vs Liam WilliamsClaressa Shields vs Ema Kozin - IBF, WBA and WBC middleweight titles

Saturday February 19 - BOXXER in Manchester - Sky Sports Box OfficeAmir Khan vs Kell Brook

Saturday February 26 - Top Rank in GlasgowJosh Taylor vs Jack Catterall - undisputed super-lightweight titles