Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night, with Paul showing a spirited display before the judges awarded the fight to Fury via split decision.
Fury started the better fighter, showing his experience with good work from long-range against the powerful Paul. After a scrappy start for which he was warned, Paul began to grow into the fight by landing punches with a strong overhand right, he was warned for one in particular in the fifth round, being deducted a point.
The British fighter looked to have Paul rattled with his combinations when he chose to use them, but in the closing stages things closed up after Fury was also deducted a point. He went to the ground in the final round, insisting he had slipped but it was a good showing from Paul, lasting the full eight rounds.
REACTION: Follow all the fall out from Fury's win here
The judges scored the fight as follows: 75-74 Paul, 76-73 Fury and 76-73 Fury. Earning a WBC cruiserweight ranking with the win, Fury confirmed that he would be willing to allow Jake Paul take up the rematch clause which was built into the contract before declaring the win his 'destiny'.
Speaking after the fight, Fury said: "For the past this is all that has consumed my life! Everybody thought I was running scared but tonight I make my own legacy! This was for you Bambi I love you!"
"All the way through, I had a dream and a vision that I would win this fight but now everyone can stand up and take note! I had pressure on my shoulders and I came through! This to me is a world title fight it was my destiny, guys we did it."
Paul confirmed in the build-up to the fight that there is a rematch clause in his contract for a second contest later this year. Fury said after the fight that he is interested in a rematch, which would take place before the end of 2023, while Paul also talked up the prospect post-fight.
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