STAR BOXING PREVIEW Sun: Jake Paul v Tommy Fury

Jake Paul’s assault on combat sports goes to another level this weekend as he takes on professional boxer Tommy Fury (8-0 4KO) over eight rounds.

The action will play out on Sunday evening in Saudi Arabia and all eyes will be on Paul as he takes the first real risk of his career.

Since transitioning from appearing on Disney TV and YouTube to fighting, ‘The Problem Child’ has fought six times and his opponents include a celebrity, a former NFL player and three retired MMA fighters.

His performances have been impressive, at times, and he is investing a lot of money and time into improving but he has (rightly) been criticised for calling himself a professional boxer without ever fighting an active professional boxer.

With an official record of 6-0 (4KO), things on paper have been going according to plan for ‘The Problem Child’ and he has registered one notable knockout victory over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley but it’s Paul’s most recent fight against 47-year-old Anderson Silva that gives you the best idea of his full ability.

Over eight rounds, Silva made Jake Paul work harder than he ever has and the former YouTube star noticeably slowed down in the second half of the fight. He eventually emerged victorious by judges’ decision but it was proof that he is far from the finished article and if a 47-year-old Anderson Silva can exploit those weaknesses, Tommy Fury will take confidence from that.

Hailing from a fighting family, the path into professional boxing always looked logical for Tommy Fury but he took a unique path into the sport. Following a brief spell as an amateur, he decided to venture into the world of reality television and he built his reputation up as a celebrity before he did as a boxer.

It wasn’t until 2018 when he was signed by British promoter Frank Warren that Fury appeared as a professional boxer and he has managed eight fights in four years. He remains unbeaten but just like Jake Paul, he is yet to have a real test as a professional.

He knocked out his first five opponents but three of those had never registered a win as a boxer. His limitations have also been exposed in recent fights when his level of opponent was increased, slightly. In Fury’s last three outings, he has gone the distance three times and that knockout power we have seen early in his career seems to have vanished.

Despite being huge stars outside the ring, as professional boxers both fighters have limitations and a distinct lack of experience. When two raw novices clash, emotions run high early in the fight and with that in mind, a knockdown for either fighter in rounds 1-3 (2/1 special with starsports.bet) is something to keep an eye on.

Although knockdowns seem likely, it would be a surprise if either Fury or Paul had the patience and ring IQ to finish this fight unless it’s a clean one punch knockout. In truth, these two are at a very similar level in their journey and although the pedigree lies with Fury, he has done nothing as a professional to suggest he is levels above someone like Jake Paul.

Expect dramatics, knockdowns early and antics from both corners but ultimately a story of two young, inexperienced fighters cancelling each other out as the fight progresses. It’s difficult to pick a winner but one bet to keep an eye on is either fighter to win by split decision at 8/1 with starsports.bet.

Something else to consider is the post-fight interview. The talent pool for these ‘crossover’ fights is not particularly deep and the winner will be looking to line up a fight with British star KSI later this year so expect to hear his name dropped by whoever wins during the post-fight interviews (2/1 special with starsports.bet).

If you like the look of those specials, there is plenty more where that came from! Click here to view Star Sports’ host of fight specials for this weekend’s contest between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury!

JORDAN NEILD

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