Yahoo Sports Jake Paul will fight Tyron Woodley on Dec. 18 after Tommy Fury withdraws due to health
When Jake Paul steps into the ring on Dec. 18, he won't be facing Tommy Fury. Paul announced on Monday that Fury has pulled out of their fight due to a medical issue, and a familiar face will be taking his place: former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, who will finally get the rematch he's been pushing for.
Fury released a statement about his withdrawal through Michael Benson of talkSPORT.com
Tommy Fury: "I am absolutely heartbroken that I have been forced to withdraw from my fight with Jake Paul due to a bacterial chest infection and broken rib. I really do hope we can get this fight rescheduled in the new year. I want this fight to still happen more than anything."
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 6, 2021
A bacterial chest infection and broken rib are legitimate reasons to pull out of a fight that's happening in just 12 days, but Paul wasn't feeling terribly charitable toward Fury in the reaction video he posted on Monday.
Warning, the following tweet contains graphic language:
Tommy Fury has pulled out of the fight due to a “medical condition” and Tyron Woodley is stepping in for December 18th for the official rematch. pic.twitter.com/t1OFVQQBBt
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 6, 2021
This will be the second fight between Paul and Woodley this year. Their first fight in August ended with Paul winning by split decision, a result that obviously didn't sit well with Woodley, who has been agitating for a second shot at Paul ever since. Woodley even got Paul's name tattooed on his middle finger, which Paul said he had to do in order to consider a rematch.
Woodley is 39 and hasn't won a fight since September 2018, but he held his own with Paul in August. He probably doesn't need any additional motivation to come out swinging on Dec. 18, but Paul is adding a sweetener to the deal anyway: Woodley will get an additional $500,000 if he manages to knock Paul out.