YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and professional pugilist Tommy Fury are set for a third attempt at standing opposite one another inside the ring.
2023 is set to be a big year for Paul (6-0), who stepped up his involvement in combat sports earlier this month by signing a deal to fight in mixed martial arts with the Professional Fighters League.
But while an MMA venture grabbed headlines, Paul reiterated his plans to make his seventh professional boxing outing in the first quarter of the new year. And now, that appearance inside the squared circle is set.
Last month, renowned journalist Ariel Helwani reported that “The Problem Child” will return to action to face Tommy Fury (8-0), the younger half-brother of WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.
The bout has now been made official, with the date set for February 26 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The contest will be fought across eight rounds at a weight of 185 pounds.
The entire event will partner with Top Rank and will air via pay-per-view on ESPN+ in the United States. Former two-weight titleholder Badou Jack will face WBC Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Makabu in the co-main event.
This marks the third time the pair have been officially booked to fight. The two rivals were initially slated to square off in December 2021, but the British boxer pulled out on late notice, citing a broken rib and chest infection for his withdrawal.
They were then scheduled to collide last August, eight months after Paul knocked out replacement opponent Tyron Woodley. This time, “TNT” fell out owing to an apparent inability due to travel to the United States due to his ties with disgraced promoter and alleged criminal Daniel Kinahan.
Despite Paul noting that Fury had ‘fumbled the bag’ on two separate occasions, the Manchester native is now set for a third opportunity at stalling the 25-year-old former Disney star’s boxing ambitions in its tracks.
Fans React To Third Attempt At Jake Paul/Tommy Fury
Combat sports fans were quick to react to news of Jake Paul’s latest boxing venture, which is set to come four months after he outpointed former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in Glendale.
Unsurprisingly, given the matchup’s history, many are withholding their belief until the two men enter the ring on February 26.
Others went a step further, with one fan suggesting that another withdrawal from Fury should see him depart the sport entirely.
Elsewhere, a host of fans offered their predictions for the reported bout. Many, including Barstool Sports chief Dave Portnoy, backed “The Problem Child.”
Others, however, suggested that Fury will mark a sizable step up in competition for the Cleveland native.
