Tommy Fury has told talkSPORT that he believes his appearance on Jake Paul’s undercard shows an intention of setting up a fight between them next.
The Love Island star – brother of Tyson Fury – will face Jake’s friend and sparring partner Anthony Taylor on August 29, before Paul himself fights Tyron Woodley in the main event.
Tommy has been embroiled in social media back-and-forth with the 3-0 (3 KOs) YouTuber-turned-boxer over the past few months.
Jake has even referenced Fury’s girlfriend – Molly-Mae Hague– which many believed only further motivated his rival.
However, Tommy said on talkSPORT Fight Night: “It wasn’t necessarily the comments on Molly because that stuff doesn’t even bother me.
“I don’t lose any sleep over that, it’s not necessarily that comment.
“It’s just as a whole, he goes around talking, jumping the gun, ordering people around, but now it’s actually here and it’s happening.
“I’m boxing on the undercard, there’s something happening, it’s not just internet talk, it becomes a bit more real now.
“For me, this fight’s just around the corner, it’s business for me.
“I know what I do in the gym, I know where I am in comparison to these guys. It’s just about proving it.”
Tommy is confirmed to have signed a two-fight deal with US broadcaster Showtime – who inked Jake to their network earlier this year.
When asked if he expects them to meet next, he continued: “That’s the plan. That’s why I’m training so hard, that’s why I’m doing everything right.
“God willing I come through my test and God willing he comes through his test.
“We can get it on because he’s not putting me on the undercard for the good of my health, that’s for sure.”
Tommy concluded: “You never know with these guys, when you rock up there and they see you in the flesh, how big you actually are.
“I don’t know, you can’t tell what somebody’s thinking.
“He obviously doesn’t need the money so it’s whether he’s got a pair of balls or not – I’ve said that from day one.
“I know he hasn’t got no balls. I’m going over there, it’s my American debut, it’s live on Showtime, so I’m not really thinking about Jake Paul.
“I’m thinking about impressing the American audience and leaving my mark in the US.”