Shane Fury discusses brother Tommy's pro boxing career
The Sportsman interviewed WBC World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury's brother and trainer Shane about his half-brother Tommy's boxing career.23-year-old light-heavyweight Tommy Fury rose to fame after appearing on ITV hit show Love Island in 2019. He aimed to use the platform to further his opportunities in his pro boxing career, but has only managed to reach 8-0 against journeymen after four years in the paid ranks.
Tommy and Tyson have different mothers but share the same father, John Fury. Tyson's younger half-brother has been scheduled to face YouTuber Jake Paul twice before but both fights fell through, firstly due to an injury and infection picked up by Tommy and, secondly, when the Manchester man wasn't allowed into America due to ongoing issues with his management company, MTK Global.
Having fought just once this year to take his tally to 8-0 with 4KOs, the younger Fury fighter has not been able to light up the boxing scene like he planned to do after his nine-month break to become a TV personality. However, 'TNT' is still hopeful for a mega-money showdown with Jake Paul, who is unbeaten in six professional fights.
In Tommy's last appearance, an exhibition bout with late replacement Rolly Lambert, where he weighed in well above the 175lbs limit and performed so poorly that the fans in attendence showed thier displeasure by booing both boxers.
Jake Paul, working as a pundit from ringside, pretended to fall asleep during the show to goad Tommy, who called him out immediately after his bout. His promising boxing career has sadly become more of a circus act since he first signed with Frank Warren in October 2018. But Shane Fury claims to have a plan mapped out for Tommy's career that will see him challenge for championships.
Here's what Shane had to say:
Shane Fury on Tommy Fury vs Jake Paul:
“Tommy is very lucky to have someone like Jake Paul to bounce off. Look how much publicity the pair of them have had off each other and when the fight happens, it’s a payday that’s not normal in boxing, unless you’re at an elite level like Tyson is.
“Once Tommy’s done with Jake Paul then he can fight the KSIs of this world, and I hope there’s ten of them because it’s all about earning a few quid at the end of it. Once that’s all over and done with, then he can worry about being a boxer.
“Tommy’s always in the gym and doing his job, but when there’s a bit of money involved, then you’ve got to take that with both hands.”
Shane Fury on whether Jake Paul will be an ‘easy’ opponent:
“I don’t know if it’s easy, but you’re not going to get any easier. Jake’s had six professional fights and Tommy’s had eight plus ten amateur fights, there’s not really a lot in it. It’s not going to be a blow out, even though I hope it is, but for the money they’re getting, then it’s easy money.
“I’m certain that Tommy will come through it with flying colours, but he can worry about winning titles once he’s finished with these sorts of shows.”