As long overdue as this result may be, combat sports fans everywhere are revelling in the split decision victory of Tommy Fury against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul (74-75, 76-73, 76-73) at Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia.
Paul, who suffers his first professional loss, had been strategically avoiding justice/padding his record with five relatively high-profile opponents (none of whom were boxers by trade): fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, retired NBA player Nate Robinson, retired wrestling-oriented MMA fighter Ben Askren post-hip surgery, as well as retired UFC champions Tyron Woodley x 2 and Anderson Silva; the latter of whom is steadily approaching 50.
Now, having faced his first actual boxer in Tommy Fury – who himself has been criticised for his questionably padded record and technical prowess in the sweet science – the younger Paul brother has been exposed on the world stage.
In the earlier rounds, Tommy Fury overwhelmed his opponent with an onslaught of damage, taking Jake Paul into deeper waters than we’ve ever witnessed him encounter. As per the gameplan for success outlined by promoter Eddie Hearns.
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Around the halfway mark, Fury had “comfortably” landed 44 punches to Paul’s 27, while the latter had failed to seal the deal with his signature overhand right on several occasions. Wild swings, wild misses.
But it wasn’t a completely lopsided affair. Despite the fact that Paul was outstruck by a considerable margin – 88 punches to 49 at the main event’s conclusion – there were glimpses of legitimate danger for Fury.
After a sloppy and fatigued penultimate round for both sluggers, Paul managed to score a knockdown against Fury in the opening minute of Round 8. Still, it was too little too late, and unlike Paul’s bout with Anderson Silva, a knockdown simply wasn’t enough to get his hand raised.
“I had a vision I would win this fight and no one believed me,” said Tommy Fury, who dedicated the win to his newborn daughter Bambi.
Guess this means Tommy Fury has effectively multiplied his net worth ten times over.
