Boxing fans have questioned whether ring announcer Michael Buffer had been having a few pre-fight cocktails after he mistakenly introduced Tommy Fury for the wrong fight.
The legendary compere – famed for his “Let’s get ready to rumble” catchphrase – was behind the mic for the huge grudge clash between Fury and Jake Paul at the Diriyah Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The bout has whipped up a frenzy of excitement and interest as its own main event, attracting several A-list celebrities including Cristiano Ronaldo and Mike Tyson. Even the penultimate warm-up fight was brimming with star quality, involving former two-weight world champion Badou Jack in his bid to dethrone current WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu.
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But it appears Buffer got confused by the final clash on the undercard, as he introduced Badou Jack as Tommy Fury by accident.
And if the 78-year-old hoped he might have got away with his mix-up, he thought wrong…
“Michael Buffer just announced Tommy Fury a match early? lol,” one fan immediately noticed, as another said: “Michael Buffer ‘welcome Tommy TNT Fury’…..not quite…that is Badou Jack”
(Image: Getty Images)
“Train your a** off for a fight on TV and Michael Buffer announces your name wrong, belter,” another fan said, while others joked: “We regret to inform you that Michael Buffer has lost it,” and “Is Michael buffer p***ed, what’s he on?”
The situation left some fans unsure themselves, with one admitting: “Michael Buffer just confused the s*** out of me. I thought my video was way behind the audio. Someone go check on the guy.”
(Image: Str/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Another fan was gutted that Buffer’s usual high standards had been breached by his slip of the tongue. “No you didn’t. Been watching you since the 90s and never made a mistake. Did you just say Badou TNT Fury?” a fan said.
Meanwhile, others suggested it might be time for Buffer to consider hanging up his mic. “How can Michael Bugger be paid what he is and mess up like that, calling Badou Jack as Tommy TNT Fury #shambles,” one tweeted, as another said brutally: “Michael Buffer ain’t got it anymore.”
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