27 February 2023 , 11:05
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Jake Paul and Tommy Fury both disobeyed the referee's instructions with both boxers deducted a point in their grudge fight.
Paul and Fury finally met in the ring in Saudi Arabia last night as the pair touched gloves in a bid to settle their bitter rivalry. The YouTube star was looking to prove he is capable of beating a boxer from the traditional side of the sport, but came up short after falling to a split-decision defeat against the ex-Love Island star.
Despite the judges ruling against Paul, the fight remained close until the final bell after Paul scored a knockdown in the final round. This was also down to the fact both men had points deducted to penalise them for fouls throughout the contest.
Jake Paul and Tommy Fury were warned by the referee prior to their point deductions (ESPN)The referee, Hector Afu, had said in standard protocol before the fight: "I gave your instructions in the dressing room. I want a clean fight; touch gloves, good luck." Paul responded at the time: "Yes sir, 100 per cent, let's go." However it was he who had a point taken off after punching his rival in the back of the head too often for the referee's liking.
This came just minutes after Fury himself was warned for a punch in the back of the head, albeit Paul appeared to briefly turn his back which drew the shot. Later on in the fight, the tide appeared to turn when Fury was himself deducted a point for persistent holding, with both men clinching regularly as they came together.
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Despite the point deductions, Fury largely dominating the exchanges despite Paul showing glimpses of skill including with his final round knockdown. Many fans were critical of referee Afu's display after the fight, but the VAR technology that had been promised by the WBC was not required.
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Heavyweight contender Deontay Wilder appeared to heap blame on the referee for Paul's defeat by Fury as he scored the contest in the influencer's favour. "I think Jake got that one," Wilder told Fight Hub TV after the fight. "That referee, that was an immature taken point. I think Jake Paul needed that knockdown and when he did it evened it out.
"I think he only gave it to Fury because of the point taken. ‘It was an immature point, the referee is supposed to give him at least three warnings, he gave him no warnings, get out of here. I think so [Jake Paul should have won], I think so, with the knockdown he sealed it in, but it was a good scrap all the way through."