Frank Warren, promoter for light heavyweight prospect Tommy Fury, expects a deal to be finalized with Youtube star turned boxer Jake Paul.
Warren believes the fight will land on a date in February or March of next year.
The two rivals were scheduled to collide on two occasions in the past.
Last December, Fury (8-0, 4 KOs) withdrew from their first date with a rib injury suffered in training camp. A new date was scheduled for this past August, which also fell apart when Fury was denied entry into the United States.
Because Fury is still unable to enter the U.S. - Paul (6-0, 4 KOs) is willing to face him in the UK.
This past weekend in Dubai, Paul was ringside for Fury's exhibition bout with Rolly Lambert, which took place on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather vs. Deji. After the fight, Paul and Fury exchanged words.
“It will probably be in late February or March,” Warren said to Talk Sport. “The reason why it didn’t go [before], the contracts were all signed, because of the problems he had with the US immigration. We are all past that now. Jake is up for coming over here and we have to get the deal finalized in the next week or so.”
If a deal is made, Fury - the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury - would become the first pro boxer to face Paul.
Warren is confident in Fury's ability to beat Paul.
“I’ve got to fancy the boxer, Tommy, to beat him. That’s why I’m keen on making it. It’s life-changing money for Tommy and it’s a no brainer for him to fight him," Warren said.
“Jake Paul is obviously taking it very seriously now. He’s got a license and he is training very hard. What level he is at you are only going to find out when he fights a Tommy Fury.”