Tommy Fury handed the YouTuber-turned-boxer the first loss of his career on Sunday night at Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fury beat Paul via a split decision in the eight-round bout despite being knocked down in the final round.
JAKE PAUL DROPPED HIM 🤯🥊
(🎥: @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/2fb1exDCfD
— theScore (@theScore) February 26, 2023
The judges scored it 76-73 twice for Fury and 75-74 once for Paul.
The Truth is revealed! Tommy Fury gets the decision win over Jake Paul! 🥊#PaulFury pic.twitter.com/YZIiNqtB8P
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) February 26, 2023
Paul said after the fight that he didn’t agree with the judges’ decision, and that he both got sick twice in camp and injured his arm — statements that drew boos from the crowd.
“But I lost. I’m not making excuses,” Paul said. “I’m just saying it wasn’t my best performance. I fell flat.”
Fury seemed to have a slight edge throughout most of the fight, but Paul was right in the mix and landed plenty of great punches of his own. Both fighters had a point deducted in the later rounds, too, for seemingly landing a punch to the back of the other’s head.
JUST IN: 🇬🇧 Tommy Fury defeats YouTuber Jake Paul in boxing match.pic.twitter.com/lZx1nogLpU
— Remarks (@Remarks) February 26, 2023
Supporters of the YouTube boxing phenomenon say it brings new, younger, fresher eyes to the sport. It can only be a good thing to grow boxing’s appeal, they argue.
“YouTube boxing is an interesting one,” Hearn says. “I did Logan Paul against KSI, I saw the numbers first-hand.
“It doesn’t mean it doesn’t create interest. It’s entertainment. But I don’t even look at YouTube boxing as boxing, I just look at it as an entertainment format.”
Jon finished ✅@TommyTNTFury | 🎥 @MostVPromotions pic.twitter.com/Q7Tg3h6XGi
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 26, 2023
Fury, 23, fought a handful of amateur bouts, but most of his fame comes from his stint on dating show Love Island. As a professional he has won all eight fights, albeit his opponents have a combined record of 24 wins, 176 losses and five draws.
Paul, 26, has won all six of his professional bouts, but his opponents include a fellow YouTuber, a former NBA basketballer and ex-MMA fighters.
So is Fury-Paul entertainment or ‘proper’ boxing?
“Jake Paul against Tommy Fury, I actually remove that from the YouTube boxing world,” Hearn answers.
“They’re two guys who are undefeated. They’re not going to go on and challenge for world titles but they are better than some professional boxers.
