A leaked 'script' which detailed exactly how Jake Paul's fight with Tommy Fury would play out has been exposed as faker after the Brit had his hand raised.
YouTube star Paul finally had the chance to settle his boxing dispute with ex-Love Island star Fury in Saudi Arabia last night. However it was Fury who was given the nod on the judges' scorecards despite Paul dropping his rival in the final round.
Fans and fighters had claimed they already knew what was going to happen, after former UFC star Mike Perry leaked a script on social media which appeared to show a pre-arranged outcome. However the fight took a number of dramatic twist and turns which were not predicted by the document, as Paul now prepares to activate a rematch clause for next time out.
Here are the things which did and did not follow the WWE-style script...
1. Ringwalks
It was predicted by the leaked ''script' that Fury would first walk out to boxing classic Sweet Caroline in front of a Middle East crowd with whom he was a favourite. However the British star instead walked out to Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival which was originally released in 1969.
Fans were already quick to spot that this meant the script was unlikely to be real - although it was right to suggest Fury would pay tribute to his newborn daughter Bambi. Her name was printed on his jacket and shorts but this came as no great surprise given his partner Molly-Mae Hague gave birth just weeks before the fight.
Paul's ringwalk similarly debunked the conspiracy, with the script suggesting he would walk out to Mr Steal Your Girl by rapper Trey Songz but he instead approached the ring with the song Outlet by Desiigner blaring out on the speakers. The script also wrongly stated he would wear a baby costume to mock his rival.
2. How the fight unfolded
Unsurprisingly the fight did not follow to the pre-fight script but some parts were always going to be right. Fury and Paul were cagey in the opening rounf but the YouTuber was unable land the promised left hook. However the script did finally get something correct with Fury on top through the second round before Paul seemingly edged a tight third round as he did began to rally.
Fury did have slight trouble with his left eye but not in the fourth round, as the script suggested and it did not come in the form of swelling as he suffered a small cut around the area as a result of the head clash. Fury did not take significant punishment from Paul and won the fifth round despite suggestions he would start to have trouble past the midway point.
No doctors were required despite suggestions Fury would need a ringside check, and he continued to edge the action with Paul only able to land the odd power punch. The YouTube star did not show any relentless aggression until the final round, which Fury matched despite claims his corner would be concerned about his welfare.
3. Tommy Fury injury
As aforementioned when assessing the fight's main events, Fury did suffer an injury as the fight continued into the later rounds but it was certainly not the one described. The scripted piece suggested the Briton would be unable to see through eye swelling, with it completely closing in the final round - an injury which is almost impossible to make happen deliberately in the first place.
His corner did not urge him to avoid shots and instead made rallying calls to press him on to try and search for a stoppage while he dominated the event largely going into the final round. Despite blood being present on his face in the final round, it certainly did not affect him throwing leather in a back-and-forth final stanza.
4. Method of victory and result
The most obvious part of the script which just failed to become reality was the fact that it was Fury who had his hand raised and not Paul who lost by split-decision. The script had suggested the YouTube star would drop his rival with a big shot in the final round, which Fury could blame on his eye as the referee stepped in.
Paul did indeed land a knockdown but it was rather tame in truth, with Fury off balance and immediately able to rise to his feet. It was then in fact all down to the judges ringside with two scoring it at 76-73 in favour of Fury while the other judge scored it at 75-74 for Paul.
What did you make of the fight? Let us know in the comments section below
5. Rematch agreement
The final thing which stood out was the rematch agreement which is likely to be enforced the other way around to the script. Paul had a contracted clause for a second meeting if he lost, but the script suggested it would be Fury begging for a sequel after the final bell.
Paul would allegedly grant a rematch in Los Angeles, but it is instead Fury who granted a rematch to his rival in the changing rooms after the fight. The second meeting could indeed land back in Saudi Arabia as both men expressed their fondness of the location. Any second fight would no way be allowed to take place on American soil as things stand, with the script proved wrong due to Fury's current US travel ban.
