WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has explained that his younger brother, light heavyweight prospect Tommy Fury, does not need a fight with Jake Paul to define his career.

Tommy Fury (7-0, 4 KOs) was scheduled to face Paul (4-0, 3 KOs) in the main event of a Showtime pay-per-view card on December 18th in Tampa, Florida - but Tommy withdrew earlier this week.

The reality TV star would late issue a statement to reveal that he suffered a broken rib in training camp and was also dealing with illness.

"I am absolutely heartbroken that I have been forced to withdraw from my fight with Jake Paul due to a bacterial chest infection and broken rib," Tommy Fury said.

"The beginning of my camp was going so incredibly and I never expected anything to come in my way from a victory on December 18. I can't express now disappointed I am and I really do hope we can get this fight rescheduled in the new year. I want this fight to happen more than anything. I'm now regretfully putting my focus on recovery and a further reschedule date."

Paul will now have a rematch with former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, who lost a close eight round split decision to the social media personality back in August.

Tyson Fury believes his brother will financially excel in the future - with or without the Paul fight.

"The fight was supposed to be in 10 days or something, and if he can't fight he can't fight," Fury told IFL TV. "That's it.

"They'll go on how he's lost a payday, bloody hell, if you're going to be any good and win a fight he's going to be rich anyway, he's already rich! The money off the Jake Paul would have been good for him, alright, but he'll make it again.

"You don't need Jake Paul to define your career - who the f--- is Jake Paul when he's at home? He's some f----ing floppy haired YouTuber who nobody's interested in and everybody hates by the way, so it is what it is. When Tommy recovers from his injuries I'm sure he'll be back active again in the new year."