By: Sean Crose
Looks like it will never happen. However, on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, Jake Paul and Tommy Fury finally hit the ring as the main attraction of an ESPN pay-per-view event. The match between Paul 6-0 and Fury 8-0 is scheduled for the 8th in the cruiser class.
An odd Fury did better the first time around, making it difficult for him to land, deliver a quick jab and land well late in the round. Paul had a better second watching him land, but Fury played better in the three-minute chapter thanks to movement and a painful stab. Paul had a strong third inning, one he could have won as the more aggressive. Furthermore, Fury doesn’t stick and move like before.
The fourth round was entirely Fury’s, as he hit Paul very hard and steadily. As for Paul, sidecaster Shawn Porter was right to point out that the man was telegraphing his shots, giving Fury an advantage when he saw what was to come. Fury was hit very hard by Paul in the fifth round, although the referee confusingly took Paul’s point because a hit to the back of the head wasn’t particularly dangerous in terms of effectiveness. By the end of the round, Fury had landed a tough shot of his own.
Paul put some good punches together at the start of the sixth inning. Fury then started stabbing well. A point was later taken from Fury to hold. It was a tight lap for sure, but Paul could have made it through. Both men did well in the seventh installment. It was a tough, gritty, hard-to-name battle. A straight shot from Paul scored a lightning strike in the eighth and final round. However, Fury could have performed better for the rest of the round.
The judges ultimately ruled in Fury’s favor with a split decision.
“All due respect to Tommy,” Paul said. “He won.”
“I don’t know if I agree with the judges,” he added. “This is certainly a humbling experience. I’ll take it on my chin.
Suffice it to say, the two men were very kind to each other after the battle and appeared eager for a rematch.
