Fury Survives Knockdown, Splits Paul!

Undefeated professional boxer, Jake Paul, squared off with rival boxer, Tommy Fury, tonight (Sun., Feb. 26, 2022) on ESPN PPV from Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Thus far into his young professional career, the big criticism against Paul has been that he’s fighting older MMA fighters rather than fellow boxing prospects. This match up seems to be a response to those critics, as Fury is an appropriate mix of boxer and celebrity, meaning he can still hold up half of the headline.

Following a competitive battle, Fury was named the victor via split-decision. Follow along below for live updates and highlight clips:

Round One
Clinching seems to be a major part of the Paul game plan, as he does so repeatedly in the early goings to stuff Fury’s right hand. Fury lands a trio of jabs then takes one to the body. Fury lands on the break of a clinch. Paul lands a solid overhand as Fury comes forward. The two trade jabs. Fury finds a nice combination to close the round.

10-9 Fury
Round Two
The two trade rights to the body early, then Fury snaps a jab. Fury lands a counter combo from his back foot then takes a jab. Good jab answer from Fury. Paul pressuring and lands again to the body. Hard jab from Paul, and an overhand just misses. Fury evades a right and scores one of his own. Left hook counter lands for Paul. Close round!

10-9 Paul
Round Three
The exchanges are heating up a bit, and Paul lands a left hook. Stiff jab from Paul, then a couple body shots. Another left hook. Fury scores with a jab. A second. Paul goes body-head and misses with his left hook upstairs. Good overhand lands for Paul. The round closes with a clinch, but it features Paul’s best lands yet.

10-9 Paul

Round Four
Fury comes out aggressive early in the fourth, firing combinations and landing his right hand. Paul punches the body and clinches up. Fury is boxing well, but Paul stings him with a left hook. Fury circles off and sticks a jab. Fury lands a right hand from the clinch at the bell.

10-9 Fury
Round Five
Paul’s jab is landing early. Paul lands a big right, but Fury eats it well and fires back in combination. The referee deducts a point from Jake Paul for … reasons unknown? Paul lands a big left hook in response. Stiff jabs score for each athlete. 1-2 lands well for Fury. Paul sneaks in one last jab before the bell.

9-9
Round Six
Nice counter combination scores for Paul early, but Fury answers with a clean right hand. Uppercut from Fury, followed by a jab. Another hard uppercut from Fury connects, and Paul clinches in response. Both men are feeling the fatigue a bit, and the clinch time is building up. Fury loses a point! Why?!? Paul lands a 1-2. Paul lands a decent hook in the closing seconds of the round, and Fury fires back.

9-9
Round Seven
Fury rips the body and takes a right hand upstairs. Paul falls forward with the jab, creating another clinch. Left uppercut finds a home for Fury. Double jab-right hand glances its target for Paul. The two are trading in close distance. Good overhand right for Paul. Fury lands a pair of rights on the guard, but a decent amount of the impact seems to get through. Fury is bleeding from his right hand. Really close round.

10-9 Fury
Round Eight
Heavy left hook counter scores for Paul early, and he’s swinging wild. JAB FROM PAUL DROPS FURY! He’s back up quickly, but this is huge! Fury lands a right hand counter. Good combination from Fury. Stiff jab from Paul, but Fury fires back in numbers and lands the harder shots. The two exchange to the bell, but there are no more knockdowns on either side.

10-8 Paul