ANTICIPATION is building ahead of Jake Paul’s clash with Tommy Fury – and the boxing world is split on who will come out on top.
It’s the most high-profile clash for both stars so far and could have a huge effect on their future fighting careers.
Paul has won all six of his bouts so far but is yet to face a full-time professional with a background in boxing.
But the stakes are high for the outspoken American with a WBC cruiserweight ranking place up for grabs.
And Fury, who has a 8-0-0 record, will give his career a shot in the arm with victory – but faces a serious hit to his reputation if he loses to his long-time rival.
Everyone in boxing has a view on will win this huge contest in Saudi Arabia.
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Mike Tyson
Boxing legend Mike Tyson attended the final press conference between Paul and Fury as he got a chance to see the pair up close.
And he does not fancy the younger Fury brother for the win at all.
Tyson, 56, said: “I never saw Fury fight. I don’t know — I don’t think he’s gonna be able to beat Jake Paul.
“Jake Paul, he’s getting better and better as he fights, and I don’t know if they brought him here to lose. So, we’re gonna find out.”
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Floyd Mayweather
Money has his own fight to worry about this weekend but still found time to cast an eye towards events in Saudi Arabia.
And the legendary fighter, 46, believes that Fury’s experience gives him the edge.
He said: “It’s good that Jake Paul is able to take his social media following and get some new eyes on the sport of boxing.
“But this sport is something you can’t play with. Boxing is something you can’t play with. When you finally face a fighter who can really, really fight, then you’re going to find out what you’ve really got in the sport of boxing.”
Eddie Hearn
Eddie Hearn has seen plenty during his eventful career setting up big fights.
But even the opinionated boxing promoter has admitted he’s completely changed his mind on the outcome of the fight.
He said: “I have had a total U-turn on this fight. I thought Jake Paul was going to win this fight. I think Jake Paul has absolutely no chance to win this fight at all.
“If Tommy Fury comes out aggressively and puts it on Jake Paul, this fight will not go two rounds.
“This is a massive U-turn for me because both are limited. But Tommy Fury as limited as he is as a professional boxer, has been boxing for ten, 12 years, maybe more.
“He has been in the ring against professional fighters, he has experienced that, he’s done the hard spars.”
KSI
KSI has had a long-running rivalry with Paul and the pair are regularly involved in online spats.
So it slightly surprising to hear that the Brit has tipped his old foe to win – but he thinks the clash won’t live up to expectations.
He told the Zach Sang Show: “I do see Jake Paul winning … but I think it’s going to be a bit of a boring fight, if I’m being honest.
“Both fighters are very standoffish. Jake is a lot more of a counter-puncher so he reacts to what you’re doing. And Tommy is also a bit more of a counter-puncher.”
Anthony Taylor
Anthony Taylor has the distinction of having shared a ring with both Paul and Fury.
The MMA veteran turned boxer was Paul’s sparring partner in 2021 while he lost in a competitive fight with Fury in the same year. He has no doubt who will come out on top tomorrow.
Taylor told SunSport: “Jake is just going to outbox Tommy. He’s just a far better boxer. Jake is going to control him with his countering.
“Jake is more flexible and more fluid than Tommy, he’s got a higher ring IQ.
Derek Chisora
Derek Chisora has faced Tommy’s brother Tyson three times in his career.
Despite originally opting for The Problem Child, Del Boy has changed his mind.
He told the Mirror: Jake right now looks to be the favourite. So all the odds are favouring Jake and everything, all the fans are saying ‘Jake, Jake, Jake’.
“But I’ve got a feeling that Jake might get stopped by Tommy but if that happens then – oh wow.”
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Michael Bipsing
Retired UFC star Michael Bipsing has had his say on tomorrow’s big fight – and predicts an uncomfortable evening for Fury.
He said: “Listen, Jake Paul isn’t just a YouTuber. He’s a boxer. He used to be a YouTuber, probably still is one, but he’s also a boxer.
“Just because you discover your love for the sweet science later in life doesn’t mean you have to be labelled a YouTuber your entire life. The reality is Jake Paul is doing a lot of great things in the boxing world.
“I thought it was a bad night at the office for Tommy Fury against Anthony Taylor. Some of his other fights he looked explosive, powerful, aggressive.
“Against Anthony Taylor I didn’t see those. If he struggled against Anthony Taylor, he’s going to struggle against Jake Paul. That’s just my two cents, and I believe that he loses.”
Ryan Garcia
American lightweight boxer Ryan Garcia, who has a 23-0-0 record, kept his prediction short and sweet.
The 24-year-old said: “Jake Paul [to win]. Funny, honest at times, and my friend.”
Devin Haney
Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney, 24, expects a close battle.
The American told iFL TV: “Jake’s fought some former MMA champions, but Fury comes from a fighting family and has experience behind him, with it being in his bloodline.
“I think it’s going to be a good fight! I think Jake will win, but it will be a tougher fight than people think.”
Liam Smith
Liam Smith’s stock is high after last month’s dramatic win over Christ Eubank Jr. He revealed he was backing his countryman.
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Beefy said: “I do think it’s a good fight, I’ve always said I think that Jake is the best of the YouTubers.
“I think Tommy Fury is still learning his craft. I think he didn’t have much amateur pedigree but I think I’d have to go with Fury, just for the boxing.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
