Jake Paul expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be ringside for his upcoming boxing fight with Tommy Fury.
The YouTube star will step in the ring with ex-Love Island star Fury this weekend in Saudi Arabia as the pair prepare to finally settle their heated rivalry. It will be the latest high-profile sporting event to land in the Middle East with the likes of Anthony Joshua's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk to come in Saudi Arabia and recent FIFA World Cup 2022 staged Qatar.
The fight is likely to attract huge attention from around the globe given the pair's reputation on social media, with some big sporting stars currently plying their trade in the continent. This includes football legend Ronaldo, who recently made the switch from Manchester United to Al Nassr after being offered a mega-money deal.
And Paul has suggested that the goalscoring star could be in attendance this Sunday night when asked by Top Rank, replying: "Yeah, I think he's coming to the fight." Ronaldo's presence would likely generate further interest in an already high-profile contest, with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury also likely to be in town to back his brother Tommy.
And the 'Gypsy King', who has yet to fight in the Middle East, has ramped up the pressure on his brother by suggesting he could become Ronaldo's personal trainer if he is to lose against his bitter rival. He said: "I have told Tommy that if he loses he has to stay over in Saudi and become Ronaldo’s personal trainer. He agreed. He will have to spend his losers purse on a nice little flat out in Saudi and look after Ronnie."
Paul is expected to go into the contest with less pressure given he is from an influencer background, but a loss to Fury could derail his career in the boxing world. Meanwhile Fury has come from a traditional boxing upbringing, but will need a win to avoid embarrassment and a huge dent in his quest to become a world champion.
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Fury has been being trained by his dad John who will also be in attendance alongside his brother Tyson, with the 23-year-old needing to impress. And his father believes that the rising star will be treating the event as a holiday, despite suggestions it is the toughest examination of his ring credentials.
"At the end of the day this is just what it is," John Fury told Mirror Fighting . "It's an holiday and a decent payday but it's an easy fight for Tommy. We're looking at big honours for Tommy, we're looking at Tommy winning world titles in future. Tyson Fury's the king of the ring, Tommy will come through. You can't say what's going to happen in the future with Tommy but you can say that he's going to give them all a run for their money. All those ones who think Tommy can't fight, you're going to be in for a shock."
