WBC explain why they awarded ‘diarrhoea belt’ for Tommy Fury vs Jake Paul fight
Tommy Fury has received praise from the WBC as the boxing body explained its decision to award a belt following his win over Jake Paul.
Tyson Fury‘s half-brother clinched a split-decision win over ‘The Problem Child’ and was award with the ‘Diriyah Belt’, named after the Riyadh region in which the fight took place. Overseas fans disrespectfully dubbed it the ‘diarrhoea belt’ in protest at the gesture, but the WBC has explained its reasoning behind the move.
“The Diriyah Belt was awarded to Tommy Fury because of the great promotion that both Jake Paul and him did to bring new viewership to boxing,” read a statement by the boxing organisation. “They gave the fans an entertaining fight and card which reached a whole new audience who may not have been exposed to boxing otherwise.”
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Belts are traditionally reserved exclusively for title fights by the official bodies that sanction them, resulting in widespread scrutiny when it was revealed Fury and Paul would have such a prize at stake.
The Diriyah Belt holds no such significance in regards to the wider boxing landscape, however, and doesn’t seem likely to be defended at any point.
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(Image: Getty Images)
On top of receiving the new piece of hardware, Fury is also set to be placed inside the WBC’s top 40 ranked fighters as reward for his latest win. The 9-0 fighter was praised for his performance in Saudi Arabia and fans may see a repeat of the bout later this year, after each combatant showed interest in a rematch.
Speaking after his first career defeat, Paul said: “I just talked to Tommy back in the medical room, he’s like, ‘let’s go, let’s do it again’. He’s down for it. That’ll be the focus first and foremost. I’m going to prove and fight a better fight than I did tonight and get that W.”
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Saudi Arabia has grown in scope as a host for major boxing matchups in recent times, with Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk having met in Jeddah last year. Sunday’s showdown also drew a string of celebrity spectators, including Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo and boxing legend Mike Tyson.
‘The Truth’ also wasn’t the first time Paul has found himself at the centre of belt-based controversy. The American was slammed for ordering a ‘Most Valuable Boxer’ belt ahead of his knockout win against Tyron Woodley in December 2021, which allegedly set him back £375,000.
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