Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury finally confirmed, Makabu vs Jack
Today, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Queensberry Promotions announced that international superstar Jake ‘The Problem Child’ Paul will, at long last, face undefeated pro boxer Tommy ‘TNT’ Fury, younger brother of Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, February 26, 2023, in an event produced by Skill Challenge Entertainment Enterprises.
The event, titled ‘The Truth’, will also feature two-weight world champion Badou Jack ‘The Ripper’ challenging WBC Cruiserweight world champion Illunga Makabu in the co-main event. The card will also showcase Ashton ‘H2O’ Sylve, an MVP undefeated fighter, as he is set to face former WBC world title challenger Maxwell Awuku 48-5-1 (33 KO’s) from Accra, Ghana with contracts being finalized.
This Saturday, January 28th, 2023, Paul and Fury will officially face off for the first time as they sit ringside for the Beterbiev vs. Yarde unified light heavyweight fight in London, live on BT Sport in the UK.
Paul vs. Fury will be broadcast exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office in the UK on Sunday, 26th February.
Additionally, Paul vs. Fury will stream live in the US on ESPN+ PPV and via cable and satellite pay-per-view providers.
Paul and Fury were originally slated to face off in December 2021, but Fury withdrew from the bout because of a medical issue. Paul went on to record a scintillating one-punch knockout of Tyron Woodley, who stepped in as a late replacement for a rematch of the pair’s August 2021 clash. Paul is giving Fury another chance next month so he can silence the critics who claim he has yet to fight a professional boxer. The 26-year-old Cleveland native started his pro boxing journey in January 2020 and will go head-to-head with Fury, a more experienced boxer from a prominent boxing family.
Paul, who boasts a professional record of 6-0 with 4 knockouts, continues to make waves in the boxing world. His latest win against the legendary Anderson Silva, won him ESPNRingside’s 2022 Viral Moment of the Year, by dropping Silva in the 8th round. Paul began his pro career in January 2020 with a stunning debut against British YouTube star AnEsonGib and a subsequent, jaw-dropping knockout of former NBA star Nate Robinson in November 2020. From there, ‘The Problem Child’ shocked the industry with a first-round KO of former MMA champion Ben Askren in April 2021 and two wins over Woodley, including a vicious knockout which won him ESPNRingside’s 2021 Knockout of The Year.
“The moment of truth has finally arrived,” said Paul. “On February 26th, I will get in the ring with a ‘real boxer,’ an 8-0 fighter from a storied fighting family and show the world the truth about who Jake Paul, the boxer, really is. This fight doesn’t happen without the vision and support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its Ministry of Sport and Skill Challenge Entertainment Enterprises. I am excited to come to Riyadh and put on a show for the world to see.”
Hailing from Manchester, England, Fury began boxing at the age of 12. He had 12 amateur fights, winning two regional titles and reaching the U.K. national final in 2016. Fury made his professional debut in 2018, winning by decision. He then knocked out his next four opponents, drawing attention from the boxing world. In 2021, he fought three times, including his U.S. debut on Paul’s undercard, earning his seventh victory against Anthony Taylor. He most recently shut out Daniel Bocianski over six rounds last April on the Tyson Fury-Dillian Whyte undercard. Fury, a former Love Island reality TV star, is ready for the biggest moment in his professional boxing career.
“Jake Paul’s boxing career ends on February 26th and I can finally move on with mine,” said Fury. “Every time I go out right now, everybody asks me about the Jake Paul fight. After this fight is done, everybody will be asking me how it felt to knock Jake Paul out. The world is about to see what happens when a proper boxer faces a YouTuber.”
“Jake Paul has already achieved more than anyone thought possible when we started this journey three years ago. Six professional fights, five pay-per-views, over $150 million of revenue generated and viral moment after viral moment,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP. “Now it’s about The Truth. Is Jake a legitimate threat in boxing or has this been a spectacle without substance? Jake versus Tommy is one of most anticipated fights in history involving two young boxers and we are delighted to partner with Frank and George Warren on this event in the UK & Ireland, who have been tremendous to work with throughout this two-year process.”
"This is the fight Tommy has wanted for a long time, so I am thrilled it has all been finalised," said Queensberry promoter allegedly. "I know how disappointed he was after twice being unable to make it into the ring with Jake, so I anticipate this will be a memorable occasion not short on spice. It is a fantastic opportunity for Tommy to extend his profile even further into the Middle East and American markets and the chance to bring Jake Paul’s boxing career to an abrupt halt. Credit to Jake, who I admire greatly, for jumping in with a boxer this time. But Tommy has the background and pedigree as a fighter that makes him the favourite in my book."
The Paul vs. Fury event is produced by Skill Challenge Entertainment Enterprises (SCEE) and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), in association with Queensberry Promotions and Top Rank.
"We are very excited about the upcoming event featuring Jake and Tommy in Riyadh and look forward to welcoming them to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” stated Chairman of Skill Challenge Entertainment, His Highness Prince Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. "With the consumption of YouTube content per capita in Saudi Arabia remaining one of the highest in the world, the highly anticipated bout featuring one of its most renowned personalities-turned-boxer, Jake Paul, will be amongst the most-viewed events globally. The excitement of this being his biggest challenge to date is very appealing as he takes on a legitimate boxer in Tommy Fury,” he added.
