Boxing Picks – Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury

After multiple hiccups, Jake Paul and Tommy Fury will finally face off this weekend. This showdown has been more than a year in the making, as Paul and Fury were originally supposed to fight in Tampa, Florida on December 18, 2021. Fury had to back out of that initial meeting due to injury, so a rematch was set for August 6, 2022. Once more, Fury was unable to take part in the fight, this time due to visa issues. Fortunately, it appears the third time will be the charm as Fury and Paul are both on site in Saudi Arabia for their fight this weekend.

On Sunday, February 26, 2023, we will see Jake Paul and Tommy Fury square off in the main event of an ESPN PPV boxing event. This card will be live starting at 2 p.m. ET, and the main event is expected to take place around 5 p.m. ET from Diriyah Arnena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia just outside the capital of Riyadh.

Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury Betting Odds at BetRivers Sportsbook

Jake Paul -180
Tommy Fury +140
Total Rounds: 6.5

Both fighters are unbeaten in their professional careers, but Jake Paul is a small favorite by the boxing betting odds since Tommy Fury has backed out twice prior to this weekend’s event. The oddsmakers have made Paul the favorite in all of his bouts to date by the celebrity boxing betting lines, but Fury has the potential to be his toughest test so far.

Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury Preview

What started as simple trash talking between internet celebrities has evolved into a sizeable part of boxing’s modern-day popularity. Only a handful of title holding boxers can draw significantly more eyeballs than celebrity boxers like the Paul brothers, as they have proven to be a real draw.

Jake Paul has done his part by taking his training seriously and proving that he is no mere sideshow. Paul easily defeated YouTuber AnEsonGib by first-round knockout in January 2020, and he went viral in the throes of the COVID pandemic with his second-round knockout of former NBA star Nate Robinson in November. That type of win led to Paul setting up fights against former UFC fighters, and these have been much more competitive fights.

Grappler Ben Askren proved to be no match for Paul, but Tyron Woodley gave Paul all he could handle over eight rounds in August 2021. Woodley fought Paul to a split decision, and he was used as a substitute when Fury proved to be unavailable a few months later. That was a less competitive fight as Paul finally took over the match and knocked Woodley out in the sixth round.

Paul’s most impressive victory came last October as he defeated Anderson Silva by unanimous decision. Silva had shocked both Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz after retiring from MMA, so Silva was a worthy foe.

As for Tommy Fury, he has followed the route of a more standard boxer. The younger half-brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has faced nothing but boxers as he has run his record to 8-0 with four knockouts. There is no name recognition with any of his opponents, as they are all climbing the ranks of the boxing ladder and cannot take shortcuts like famous celebrities.

If you are looking to bet on Fury, there are a few things you have going for you. He is more seasoned than Paul, and he has been a professional boxer for longer with his debut occurring in December 2018. Fury was in the ring more recently than Paul too, as he fought 15-1-1 Rolly Lambert in an exhibition bout back in November. However, that fight was a rather lackluster affair and resulted in both fighters being booed since neither boxer really pushed the pace.

Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury Prediction

Although Jake Paul is the favorite and will likely come into the ring with a little more weight on him, Tommy Fury is the pick to win this fight. Fury has real seasoning as a professional boxer, and he has a four-inch reach advantage on Paul. The YouTube star has yet to face someone that has more size than him, so Fury could potentially put an end to these fights.