It is still not entirely clear what is going on in Manchester next month but Till likely is still boxing next month.
Till even drafted in former world champion and Canelo challenger Liam Smith for grueling sparring, so fans are very disappointed at the moment at another big fight in pro boxing involving a not over the hill MMA star and a current young prospect in professional boxing.
Till has been training purely for professional boxing the last while however and Talk Sport’s Simon Jordan went off today saying:
“Tommy Fury has pulled out of his fight with MMA fighter Darren Till. Before diving into the details, here’s what Darren Till had to say about it on TalkSport:
“The last part of your statement about Tommy’s team looking for a new opponent isn’t true. Tommy’s pulled out of the fight, and that doesn’t mean he stays on the card. So now, what do I do? I’m still headlining on January 18th, and I haven’t gone anywhere. Tommy’s pulled out.
For years, the Furys have bullied and intimidated people at press conferences, weigh-ins, and fights—it’s their thing. It’s all mental warfare, isn’t it? John Fury intimidates people—he even tried to punch KSI when KSI was making weight. That’s just how they build fights.
By the way, Tommy, if I’m losing the fight, I’ll just kick you square in the face. Then it’ll be a proper fight, and I’ll win because I’m a real fighter. Let’s not twist things here. What I’ve said—and it’s clear I’m building the fight—is mental warfare. But I’ll say this: if I were to kick Tommy, I’d forfeit my entire purse. And I’m getting paid handsomely for this.
The truth is, Tommy’s withdrawal is embarrassing. At least come up with an excuse like an injury or say your hand hurts. Don’t just pull out without reason.”
Darren Till makes a valid point: the Furys are known for using intimidation tactics to gain a mental edge. That said, trash talk is part of the fight game, and Till admitted he’d lose his purse if he acted on his threats. It’s clear this is all part of building hype.
From Tommy Fury’s perspective, it’s hard to say what drove the decision to pull out. Some speculate that he’s safeguarding himself, but it does seem strange, considering the substantial payday at stake.
Crossover Fights and Their Impact
Crossover fights like this have drawn mixed opinions. On one hand, they bring new eyes to combat sports. On the other, they risk undermining the sport’s credibility. While these events are entertaining, critics argue they create a perception that anyone can fight professionally.
When asked about the recent Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight, one commenter said, “It was entertaining, but it felt like a farce—a 58-year-old legend against a younger athlete.” Another pointed out that financially, it was a brilliant move, though not a legitimate sporting contest.
Billy Joe Saunders, meanwhile, has expressed interest in fighting Darren Till. Many see this as a money grab, but Saunders could still pose a significant challenge if he gets back in shape.
Final Thoughts
Tommy Fury’s withdrawal doesn’t look great. He knows Darren Till, as an MMA fighter, is prone to bold statements. Fury also knows that Till can’t kick him in the head without forfeiting his pay. So why pull out? Whatever the reason, fans are left wondering what might have been.
As for crossover fights, they’ll remain polarizing. While they bring financial success and entertainment, they also blur the lines of professionalism in combat sports.
Here’s to more clarity—and better matchups—in the future.”
There you have it.
No pulling punches from Jordan there.
Hopefully things become a bit more clear shortly as regards both fighters and what is next.
