Tommy Fury, the younger half-brother of WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, was denied entry into the United States on Tuesday. The fighter, who was not allowed to fly from Heathrow Airport in London, has said he has no idea as to why he was not allowed to travel.

According to Fury, “Me and my team this morning arrived at Heathrow Airport ready for the press conference, ready to fly out, and as soon as I entered the airport, I got pulled to one side, and I was told by the Homeland Security officer that was there that my ESTA had been denied, and I wasn’t able to travel to the USA for a reason that I apparently know.”

Tyson is due to fight Jake Paul in the US on August 6, and he has been training hard for the fight. But he has denied having any knowledge of why he was stopped from proceeding with his journey: “I have no clue why they didn’t allow me to travel today, and neither any of my team nor my lawyers.”

Jake Paul, in a reaction to Fury’s plight, has asked him to take the steps he was advised to, claiming that Fury could be looking for a way to step down from the fight: “Tommy, no matter how hard you try to get out of this fight, I’m going to do everything in my power to not let you weasel your way out.

“My team and my partners have made it clear the steps you need to take to solve your latest excuse. Take them, or admit you’re scared.”

Tommy was supposed to attend a press conference ahead of his fight on Wednesday, but that has now been postponed, pending when he is able to enter the United States again. There are rumours that Fury was denied entry due to family ties with an Irish crime family. His father, John Fury, has been denied entry into the United States due to a past criminal conviction, and it seems like they may be spreading that punishment to his son.

Written by: Leon Osamor