Jake Paul and Tommy Fury will finally touch gloves in Saudi Arabia tonight as they meet to settle their long-running feud.
The rivals were first due to meet in December 2021 but Fury pulled out with a broken rib and was replaced by Tyron Woodley. Fury was then forced to withdraw again last August when he was refused entry to the United States for a press conference.
But a deal to meet in the Middle East was finally agreed earlier this year and the talking will finally stop tonight when Paul and Fury walk to the ring at around 10pm UK time. The fight will be streamed live on BT Sport Box Office - or you can follow every punch right here...
14:57Martin Domin
15:55Martin Domin
Jake Paul will receive a WBC ranking in the cruiserweight division if the YouTube star-turned-boxer defeats Tommy Fury in their grudge fight.
A polarising figure in the sport, Paul has won all six of his contests but his resume is restricted to a fellow YouTuber, an ex-NBA player and three mixed martial arts fighters – he beat Tyron Woodley twice.
Fury, younger brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson, is set to be Paul’s first opponent to come from a boxing background when they clash in an eight-round fight which has already been postponed twice.
But WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman insisted Paul would be a worthy entry into its 200lb division if the 26-year-old extends his perfect professional record to seven wins from as many fights.
“Jake has dedication and respect to the sport and the WBC will not tolerate discrimination against anyone, he deserves the opportunities that any other boxer has,” said the sanctioning body in a statement.
“He demonstrated punching power and improved skills as well as a solid chin, Tommy Fury represents a clear challenge to Paul in a battle of two undefeated professional boxers.”
15:43Martin Domin
Jake Paul has highlighted the type of journeymen boxers Tommy Fury has faced after he dealt with criticism of his own opponents, which include ex-NBA player Nate Robinson and MMA athletes Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley.
Cleveland-born Paul said: “He is a good boxer, I give him that credit. He is fast, he has got length and is strong.
"He looks like the Michelin man or something, but there’s nothing he can do to stop me. He doesn’t have power. He couldn’t knock Daniel Bocianski, or knock out the taxi drivers he has been put in there with. He has never been put in there with someone who wasn’t there to lose.”
15:32Martin Domin
Tommy Fury has promised to knock out Jake Paul and continue on his path to emulating brother Tyson Fury by becoming a world champion.
The long-standing feud between Fury and Paul will come to its conclusion at Diriyah Arena after two previous scheduled meetings had to be cancelled.
Plenty is up for grabs with the winner to earn a newly-made WBC Diriyah Belt and controversially earn a place in the cruiserweight ranking despite plenty of criticism over the fight given Paul’s background as a YouTuber-turned-boxer.
It is also double-or-nothing for both men after Fury’s dad John Fury accepted Paul’s offer at Thursday’s press conference in Saudi Arabia.
“I am in boxing and have goals to be a world champion, so if I am to do that, I can’t be dodging people like Jake Paul. Believe you me the past two fights didn’t happen because of it being out of my hands,” Fury said.
“Third time’s a charm and we’re here. I’m in super fit condition and I am ready to go and put this all to bed.
“For the last two-and-a-half years all it has been is, ‘when are you fighting Jake Paul?’ and to even mention my name in the same sentence as that is disrespectful to me who has been boxing my whole life. I am going to clinically knock this guy out early.”
15:20Martin Domin
The bookies can barely split tonight's combatants - but Jake Paul remains the slight favourite.
The YouTuber has not yet fought a 'real' boxer having taken on a social media star in AnEsonGib, former NBA star Nate Robinson and MMA legends Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva. But Fury's opponents so far have been journeymen and there remains several questions about his ability.
If you fancy a flutter on the big fight, head over to bet365 to place your bets.
15:06Martin Domin
5pm - Ziad Al-Majrashi vs Phillip Quansah
5:30pm - Ragad Al-Naimi vs Perpetual Okaidah
6pm - Philip Samson vs Salman Hamda
6:30pm - Adam Saleh vs Stuart 'Evil Hero' Kellogg
7pm - Main Card begins - Bader Samreen vs Viorel Simion
7:30pm - Muhsin Cason vs Taryel Jafarov
8pm - Ziyad Almaayouf vs Ronnald Martinez
8:45pm - Ilunga Makabu vs Badou Jack - WBC cruiserweight title
10pm - Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury
14:53Martin Domin
Welcome to our live blog as Jake Paul and Tommy Fury finally meet in the ring in just a few short hours. The rivals have been at loggerheads for two years but it has taken them that long to be in the same room after two botched deals.
We will have all the action from Saudi Arabia as Fury and Paul finally answer the question boxing fans and pundits have been debating for months; is the YouTuber a real fighter?
