YouTube sensation turned boxer Jake Paul was embroiled in controversy after a purported ‘script’ for his bout with Tommy Fury surfaced, leaving fans crying foul over alleged fight fixing.
The contentious document, later revealed as a fraud, was disseminated on social media by ex-UFC fighter Mike Perry, who had been on standby for the bout the previous year. The so-called script detailed how the hot-ticket match would unfold in February 2023.
Promoters, however, swiftly quashed these rumors, insisting: “We can confirm, it’s fake.” The sham script made extraordinary predictions from Paul donning a baby outfit while making his entrance to anticipated injuries sustained by both fighters, including a gruesome eye injury for Fury, and that ‘The Problem Child’ Paul would triumph with a TKO in the eighth.
It even outlined supposed post-fight reactions from the boxers. Throughout his burgeoning boxing tenure, Paul has repeatedly shrugged off allegations of arranged fights, such as his headline-grabbing victory against Anderson Silva, reports the Mirror.
Notable figures like Liverpool’s own Paddy Pimblett expressed scepticism during the Silva fight, suggesting the Brazilian took a fall and questioning the legitimacy of the knockdown by Paul. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old has steadfastly repudiated these claims.
(Image: Getty Images)
The fighter didn’t hold back his thoughts about Pimblett, stating: “I was really wanting to like you, I really was; you’ve got a good thing going for you but then you come out and say my fight with Anderson Silva was rigged. I’m sick and tired of this narrative. It’s stupid and pathetic; you’re disrespecting the own GOAT of your own sport.”
He continued to reprimand him by asserting: “You’re saying that Anderson Silva is a criminal, that he is a fraud. You’re saying Viacom, one of the biggest media companies in the world, is doing criminal stuff.”
Previously, there were claims based on a purported fake document that predicted Paul would deliver a knockout victory in the final round against Fury at the Diriyah Arena. Regardless, the match persisted to the very end. Tommy triumphed with a split decision victory, dealing ‘The Problem Child’ his inaugural professional loss.
(Image: Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Post-fight, Fury reflected with passion: “For the past two and a half years this is all that consumed my life. Broken rib, denied access and everyone thought I was running scared. Tonight I made my own legacy. I am Tommy Fury. I want to dedicate this fight to my new baby girl Bambi at home and my Mrs. I love you and I can’t wait to see you. This fight was for you. This belt is for you Bambi I love you.”
After his defeat, Paul wasted no time returning to the ring to face ex-UFC champ Nate Diaz, where he seized a unanimous decision win. Following victories over Andre August and Ryan Bourland, the American scored a knockout, teeing up an encounter with boxing legend Mike Tyson.
The long-anticipated face-off between the duo is set to happen in the early hours of Saturday morning in the UK. The showdown will be held at the ATandT Stadium in Dallas, Texas, with a potential crowd of up to 80,000 spectators, with the main event scheduled for around 4am.