Jake Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) battled an actual boxer, and the boxer won. Tommy Fury (9-0, 4 KOs) overcame a knockdown in the final round to defeat Paul by an eight-round split decision Sunday night at Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Two judges scored it 76-73 for Fury, while the third judge had it 75-74 for Paul.
It was clear that Fury had the edge in terms of skill. He used an effective jab throughout the fight and outlanded Paul 88-49.
The fight was not a thing of beauty, but it wasn’t a lousy scrap either. There was a lot of clinching in this one, and it was sometimes sloppy. Both fighters committed fouls in this fight. Paul was deducted a point for hitting Fury behind the head in the fifth, and Fury lost a point in the sixth for clinching.
In his win over Anderson Silva, Paul dropped him in the eighth and final round, and on Sunday, he did the same to Fury as he dropped him in the eighth with a jab. Fury, the half-brother of Tyson Fury, got up and did not appear hurt, and he finished the fight on his feet.
However, Fury’s early lead was enough for him to secure the victory.
According to Fury, this win helps him create his own legacy.
“For the past two years, this is all that has consumed my life,” Fury said after the win. “Broken rib. Denied access. Everybody thought I was running scared. Tonight, I made my own legacy. I am Tommy Fury.
“All through these past two years, I had a dream and a vision that I would win this fight. And no one believed me. Now I can stand up, and everybody can take note. It’s my first main event at 23 years old. I had pressure on my shoulders, and I came through.”
Jake Paul has a rematch clause, and Fury is okay with doing it again.
“This is my first main event,” Fury said. “I’m only going to get stronger, and I’m only going to get bigger. There were a lot of nerves going into that fight, but I override that. If he wants a rematch, bring it on.”
Paul, who suffered his first loss, said he would be back.
“All respect to Tommy,” Paul said. “He won. Don’t judge me by my wins. Judge me by my losses. I’ll come back. I think we deserve that rematch. It was a great fight. It was a close fight. I don’t know if I agree with the judges. I got a 10-8 round twice. So, it is what it is. I’ve already won in life, man. I’ve already won in every single way. I have an amazing family. Amazing friends. Amazing work ethic. I’ve made it farther than I ever thought I would.”
Paul has nothing to be ashamed of. He fought hard and dropped Fury. There will probably be some demand for the rematch, and it will probably do well, so all is not lost, but this loss for Paul is definitely a setback.
Photo/Courtesy: Skill Challenge Entertainment
