Jake Paul aims a body shot at Tommy Fury
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Tommy Fury edged Jake Paul via split decision in a narrow victory in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night.
Both fighters had a point docked during the eight-round boxing match at the Diriyah Arena, and Fury was dropped to a knee in the final round, but the Briton did just enough to win the long-awaited fight.
The bout had fallen through twice before – once in December 2021 and again last August – but finally played out on Sunday, with both fighters having promised a knockout. Neither could find the finish, however, as the main-event contest went the distance.
American Paul, 26, came closest to securing a stoppage when he stunned Fury with a jab in the final frame, but the 23-year-old’s work over eight rounds was cleaner than the YouTuber’s.
Each man was docked a point during the contest, with Paul penalised in Round 5 for a punch to the back of Fury’s head, before the Briton was punished in the following frame for holding Paul during a clinch.
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“Everybody thought I was running scared,” Fury said after the fight, with injury having led him to withdraw from a planned bout with Paul in 2021, and travel issues preventing the Briton from reaching the US to box the social-media star last summer.
“Tonight, I made my own legacy: I am Tommy Fury! I want to dedicate this fight to my new baby girl Bambi at home, and my Mrs. I love you.”
Meanwhile, Paul said: “All respect to Tommy, he won. Don’t judge me by my wins, judge me by my losses.
“I don’t know if I agree with the judges – I got a 10-8 round twice. But I’ve already won in life. I’ve made it further than I ever thought I would, and beyond.
“This is definitely a humbling experience.”
The American added that he had suffered from sickness and an arm injury during his preparation for the fight.
More to follow…
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