We may only be in February but this Sunday night sees one of the biggest fights of 2023.
As Jake Paul and Tommy Fury meet to settle the score and their fierce war of words, the two face-off at the Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia.
Billed as ‘The Truth, the duo will finally touch em’ up at the third time of asking.
A bout forced into cancellation on two separate occasions, the desert will be on fire this weekend.
So who will come out on top?
Bad blood runs
So long has this fight been in the making, ill-feeling was bound to surface; it is part and parcel of boxing’s hype machine.
However, on this occasion, the bad sentiments between Paul and Fury seem very real.
Indeed, such is the hatred, the war of words has spilled into other branches of the family tree.
In the case of the father of Tommy and Tyson, John, Fury senior threatened to fight Paul in a bareknuckle fight.
That, after the American mocked his son’s exhibition bout against Rolly Lambert last November.
So when the two came close to blows in Thursday’s pre-fight presser, as per The Sun, there were few surprises.
Nevertheless, Derek Chisora was required to step in to defuse the situation.
With the weigh-in still to come on Saturday, security is set to be tightened 24 hours before the fight.
‘Problem Child’ the favourite
Ahead of Sunday’s showdown it appears experience, for the bookies at least, counts for little.
With Paul at two less career bouts, the Ohio native is still a strong 21/25 with Midnite to take his record to 7-0.
Fury, meanwhile is the slender underdog at 13/10 with UniBet.
KO decision likely?
Both fighters have four KO wins to their name, and it looks likely one man will be leaving Saudi with a fifth.
That prompts us to examine PaddyPower’s Price boost.
For both fighters to be knocked down and either man to win by KO/TKO, a less-than-modest 8/1 is promising.
Fury to be knocked down early
Looking at the round betting for Sunday, Jake Paul’s 6th round stoppage of Tyron Woodley in his last but one contest saw the award for KO of the Year.
We can see Fury hitting the canvas in the opening half of the fight here.
