Tommy Fury wins grudge match by split decision in highly anticipated match
In what was one of the most highly anticipated fights in boxing history between two novice fighters, Tommy Fury emerged victorious over Jake Paul by split decision.
Fury, who is 23 years old and the brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, proved to be the busier fighter, landing more precise punches and showcasing his boxing fundamentals throughout the fight.
Although Paul managed to knock down Fury in the eighth round, the judges ultimately scored the bout 75-74 in favour of Paul on one card and 76-73 in favour of Fury on the other two.
An emotional Fury, who now has a perfect record of nine wins in his professional career, said on BT Sport, “This is all that has consumed my life for the past two years…Tonight, I made my own legacy.” He also dedicated the fight to his newborn daughter, Bambi, and expressed his willingness to face Paul in a rematch.
Paul, who suffered his first loss in his seventh professional fight, accepted defeat, saying, “All respect to Tommy, he won…Judge me by my losses, not my wins. I don’t know if I agree with the judges, but that is the boxing world.”
Saudi Arabia takes centre stage for biggest fight
Numerous celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment attended the eight-round fight, while many others followed it from home.
The open-top Diriyah Arena in Riyadh had boxing great Mike Tyson and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo in attendance.
Popstar Drake shared a screenshot of his bet worth $400,000 (£335,000) on a Paul knockout win, and actor Macaulay Culkin tweeted, “There’s no better way to celebrate your half-birthday than to watch Jake Paul get punched in the head repeatedly.”
Legendary Master of Ceremonies Michael Buffer introduced both fighters in the full big-fight treatment.
Fury, dressed in white with his newborn daughter’s name on his robe, walked first to the ring with trainer and father John Fury and brother Tyson. While Fury waited patiently, ‘The Problem Child’ Paul continued pacing up and down in his dressing room as the mind games continued. Paul was booed upon entering the venue.
The fight took place on a Sunday night and the first bell didn’t ring until 22:30 GMT (01:30 local time) – almost an hour later than scheduled.
The fight was the latest high-paying sporting event to take place in Saudi Arabia. The country has spent billions to bring elite sports to the country, but human rights organisations like Amnesty International have accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to ‘sports wash’ away its “abysmal” human rights record.
Jake Paul v Tommy Fury: how the fight played out
Despite the high anticipation and hype surrounding the fight, the opening minute of the bout was scrappy. Fury managed to land a few jabs and finished the round with a significant left hook.
The second round saw Fury settle in and he even showboated by twirling his hand and landing a flush punch. Meanwhile, Paul focused on single power shots, but missed on several occasions, including glancing Fury’s forehead with an overhand right. Paul began to use his jab and found success in the third round.
However, in a bizarre turn of events, Paul’s brother Logan insulted Fury and his family during an interview ringside, which may have further divided opinion in the boxing world about the fight.
The comments seemed to motivate Fury, who connected with a short right hand in the fourth, followed by a flurry of punches from range, although Paul ended the round strongly with cleaner blows.
In the fifth round, Paul had the upper hand but was docked a point for hitting Fury at the back of his head. Fury landed terrific uppercuts in the sixth but was also deducted a point for holding, without prior warning from the referee.
Both fighters appeared tired in the seventh round, the first time Fury had gone that deep in a fight, but Fury managed to edge the round through his work rate.
The final round was frantic, with both boxers looking to land the telling blow. Fury hit the deck from a Paul jab but insisted to the referee that it was a slip and he appeared more startled than hurt.
What is Youtube boxing?
YouTube boxing is a type of combat sport that involves amateur or celebrity fighters who gained notoriety through their YouTube channels, social media followings, or other forms of internet fame. The fighters usually have little or no prior experience in boxing or combat sports, and the fights are often held as exhibitions or charity events. YouTube boxing gained popularity in recent years with high-profile fights such as KSI vs. Logan Paul.
Why is it popular?
YouTube boxing has gained popularity for several reasons. Firstly, it provides an opportunity for amateur boxers or celebrities with no boxing background to step into the ring and compete in a high-profile event, which is an unusual opportunity that would not have been possible in the traditional boxing world.
Secondly, the event is marketed heavily on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter, which have a significant following among younger demographics. This marketing strategy generates a buzz and excitement around the event and encourages people to tune in and watch.
Thirdly, YouTube boxing often features personalities who have already built a significant online following through their videos or other activities, which can attract their existing fans to the event. Additionally, the matches can generate media attention and controversy, which further adds to the buzz and encourages people to watch.
Overall, the unique blend of entertainment, social media marketing, and celebrity appeal has contributed to the growing popularity of YouTube boxing.
