BoxRec

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.

I thought it was confirmed on here that Tommy was scared to death of Paul?

They will do a face to face tomorrow night.

simping for tommy fury, you get em tiger

mickey1975 wrote: ↑27 Jan 2023, 10:21 I thought it was confirmed on here that Tommy was scared to death of Paul?

He may very well be.

Lots of Iron Mike’s opponents were scared sh!tless going into the fight. I guess the hefty pay-packet appeases the burden of getting dumped on your arse.

How many rounds is this?

ThereByTheGrace wrote: ↑27 Jan 2023, 11:23 How many rounds is this?

I hope it will be 10 given Jake’s last few fights have been 10.

Tommy hasn’t fought a 10 rounder before and couldn’t get rid of Anthony Taylor across the distance that that fight happened over.

As per ESPN, it will be an eight-round bout, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the event is in partnership with Top Rank.

The 185lbs grudge match is to be shown live on ESPN+ in America but viewers will have to fork out $49.99 to watch it.

And predictably, fans were furious with the pay-per-view price set given the caliber of fighters involved.

One fan joked: "That's tremendous value, I'd happily have paid at least $89.99 to watch these two world-class athletes box."

Another commented: "Imagine paying $50 to watch Tommy Fury."

A third said: "Imagine watching this, let alone paying to watch this..."

A fourth wrote: "@ESPN Imma need y’all to chill out with these high ppv prices alright. I would love to watch a fight legitimately."

A fifth opined: "This might be worth it if they threw in a $50 Home Depot gift card or something of similar value?"

mickey1975 wrote: ↑27 Jan 2023, 10:21 I thought it was confirmed on here that Tommy was scared to death of Paul?

I doubt he's scared of him as a person, Jake Paul doesn't come across intimidating. He'll be scared to death of losing though.

Jake Paul will be a huge favourite surely?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑27 Jan 2023, 12:03

Tommy Partridge

Never watched these YouTube fights before but quite interested in this one. Fury gets walloped doesn't he? Co main is decent, may buy it

Love this fight hope it happens, don't think I've watched Paul but I have seen him ice a few cans before and Tommy usually flatters to decieve, far too muscle-bound, it's a 50/50 fight, what all novice pros should be doing instead of these new age journeymen with 2 wins, 75 losses who will "give them rounds", much better than either guy have been facing so far, just hope Fury doesn't Fumble again

Can anyone (Mickey?)explain why Tommy has looked so bad ?

Great physique, grown up around a HOF bro,, Gypsy fighting culture, good coaching etc etc.
He *should* be a decent prospect.

Is it possible he’s been
underperforming ?


(On porpoise )

there are loads of fury boxers and most of them aren't particularly good, it's pretty normal

Tommy shares a crazy ape index, but he's fighting at a weight where his height's average, and where its best fighters have mobility and stamina over the vast majority of heavies.

skanksta wrote: ↑27 Jan 2023, 21:07 Can anyone (Mickey?)explain why Tommy has looked so bad ?

Great physique, grown up around a HOF bro,, Gypsy fighting culture, good coaching etc etc.
He *should* be a decent prospect.

Is it possible he’s been
underperforming ?


(On porpoise )

No idea. I know a guy who spars him who said he’s nothing like the way he comes across on the telly, as a person and a boxer. Apparently he’s a stand off boxer in the gym.

I heard yesterday that Fury will get $2.5 m Paul North of $10m. Absolute madness.

Tyson and Gypsy John are doing Tommy no favours with all this disowning talk, Tommy has a legit probability of losing here and it's not only because he's not that good, Jake isn't that good either, it's the fact that it's a toss up fight

It's not all bad though, it's great having a big bro whos heavyweight champion of the world but imagine having that banger John as your dad, he's the biggest embarrassment in boxing, anyone see him spitting Prime on the floor the other day? What a weapon

handsofstone wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 04:10 Tyson and Gypsy John are doing Tommy no favours with all this disowning talk, Tommy has a legit probability of losing here and it's not only because he's not that good, Jake isn't that good either, it's the fact that it's a toss up fight

It's not all bad though, it's great having a big bro whos heavyweight champion of the world but imagine having that banger John as your dad, he's the biggest embarrassment in boxing, anyone see him spitting Prime on the floor the other day? What a weapon

John has done most of the legwork for this fight. Tommy is on for a monster payday whereas the lad i know who spars him, with a very similar record, will be lucky to see fifteen hundred quid.

Nightmare Roy wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 04:04 I heard yesterday that Fury will get $2.5 m Paul North of $10m. Absolute madness.

Fair play to them. Whether you like or hate the furys Tommy needs to win for the sake of boxing. If this other guy wins will never hear the end of it.

ThereByTheGrace wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 04:29

Nightmare Roy wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 04:04 I heard yesterday that Fury will get $2.5 m Paul North of $10m. Absolute madness.

Fair play to them. Whether you like or hate the furys Tommy needs to win for the sake of boxing. If this other guy wins will never hear the end of it.

I don’t think Fury needs to win for the sake of boxing.

That like getting a Sunday League side to play a celebrity team and saying they need to win for the sake of Footie!

ThereByTheGrace wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 04:29

Nightmare Roy wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 04:04 I heard yesterday that Fury will get $2.5 m Paul North of $10m. Absolute madness.

Fair play to them. Whether you like or hate the furys Tommy needs to win for the sake of boxing. If this other guy wins will never hear the end of it.

tommy's just an influencer type himself tbh

While it was being negotiated, Paul kinda boosted his reputation. Is he really a favorite now? I'd call it an intriguing bout.