Tommy Fury Hands Jake Paul First Defeat In Split Decision

SALT LAKE CITY – Tommy Fury of the United Kingdom handed United States influencer Jake Paul the first loss of his professional boxing career in a split decision fight.

The Paul-Fury fight took place at Diriyah Arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, February 26.

Fury and Paul went all eight rounds before the three judges came to a split decision that resulted in the YouTube star’s first defeat.

The fight finally came together in its third attempt as Paul and Fury previously had two matches scheduled before they fell through. After all of the anticipation, Fury came out victorious, 74-75, 76-73, 76-73.

“I’ve already won every single way in life,” Paul said after the loss. “I made it farther than I ever thought I would, and beyond. This is a humbling experience. I’ll take it on the chin and come back.”

Tommy Fury defeats Jake Paul by Split Decision.

Fury landed 49 power punches, that’s as many as Paul landed total punches. pic.twitter.com/Qrab20DSoJ

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 26, 2023

During the match, referee Hector Afu became a topic of controversy as he continually separated the boxers. Afu also took one point away from Paul and Fury during the match.

How do you have it scored? 🤔#PaulFury | @MostVPromotions pic.twitter.com/dYypRRTHJm

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 26, 2023

Fury, who comes from a boxing family led by his champion brother Tyson, said he is willing to fight Paul again.

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“This is my first main event,” Fury said after the win. “I’m only gonna go stronger, I’m gonna go bigger, I’m only gonna go better. … if he wants a rematch, bring it on.”

Jon finished ✅@TommyTNTFury | 🎥 @MostVPromotions pic.twitter.com/Q7Tg3h6XGi

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 26, 2023

With the win, the 23-year-old British boxer improved to 9-0 in his career.

The loss was Paul’s first and moved him to a record of 6-1 all-time. Paul knocked down Fury to open the eighth and final round but it wasn’t enough to make up the distance on the judges’ scorecards.

DOWN GOES FURY 😱😱😱 #PaulFury

🎥 @MostVPromotions pic.twitter.com/WuZTFv5kLJ

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 26, 2023

Now, Paul has the option to enact a rematch clause that he has with Fury. After the match, boxing experts, as well as Paul, expect a Paul-Fury 2 fight in the future.

“This is definitely a humbling experience,” said Paul after the fight. “I’ll take it on the chin and we can run it back.”

“All the way through these 2 1/2 years, I had a dream, I had a vision that I would win this fight,” Fury said. “No one believed me. Now I can stand up, and everyone can take note.”

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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