Paul vs Fury Look Back: Bring on the Rematch?

Paul Will Return: Rematch Clause

The haters dancing all over Paul better go at it because Paul will most likely invoke his rematch clause. The “Problem Child” lost a narrow decision although he was, based on the statistics, getting outboxed. Still, Paul landed the most significant punch of the fight when he sent Fury to the canvas in the eighth round.

The loss is Paul’s first. His unbeaten record is no more and all kinds of celebrities will take to social media to make fun of him. But Paul has nothing to be ashamed of. He was easily Fury’s toughest opponent as evidenced by the decision and the winner’s emotional speech.

“All the way through this 2 1/2 years, I had a dream, I had a vision I would win this fight and no one believed me,” Fury said after his victory. “Now I can stand up and everyone can take note. It’s my first main event — (I’m) 23 years old. I had the world on me. I had pressure on my shoulders and I came through.”

Losing can also make Paul come back stronger. He’s tasted defeat and knows what it’s like to box a “real” boxer as well as a younger man. This was clearly not the same as beating up old MMA fighters or former NBA players. Fury was a step up in competition and Paul fell just a bit short.

Folks who bet against Paul can celebrate as can those who bet online on the fight to go to a decision (+105). Clearly, the talk from both men about knocking each other out was all just that. Talk.

Tommy Fury has won via split decision. Jake Paul has been silenced for the first time ever. pic.twitter.com/kQULcK0wXx

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 26, 2023

The Sequel Should Come Soon

Love them or hate them, we will get Paul vs Fury 2 sooner rather than later. The split decision did not offer closure and made the rivalry more bitter. Paul will undoubtedly have things to say whether it’s about Fury or about his loss.

Boxing rematches tend to be moneymakers so there is plenty of motivation for these two to do it again outside of the bad blood. Fury may want to beat Paul more emphatically to further prove his superiority while Paul will want to even the score or even knock out Fury.

Paul did get ahead of himself by saying Nate Diaz was in his crosshairs prior to boxing Fury. He may have to put these plans on hold as he trues to rectify the only blemish on his resume. The online sports betting lines for the rematch will be tighter and could open as a pick’em or even with Fury as the slight favorite.

This would make Paul the underdog for the first time in his boxing career. Even as the favorite, Paul’s maintained an underdog mentality. Now, with more detractors, Paul should be doubly motivated.

The Undercard: Jack Makes History

Fury was not the only boxer walking away with a big win on Sunday. Badou Jack knocked Ilunga Makabu out in the 12th round to become a three-weight world champion. Jack came in as a +150 underdog but looked like the favorite against Makabu. He was beating up the champ until the ref decided it was enough in the final round.

“I was standing there too much,” Jack began in his post-fight interview. “(My trainer) told me to box and move. That’s not really my style. I mean, box, yeah, but I like to come forward and fight. Makabu is a hell of a fighter. He’s an African brother of mine, we used to be training partners. He’s still my brother.”

The win also made history for Saudi Arabia as Jack became the first Muslim boxer to win a title in Saudi Arabia. At 39 years young, Jack’s career renaissance has seemingly begun.

BADOU JACK IS A THREE WEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION! 🥊🏆

He stops Ilunga Makabu in the 12th round! 💥#PaulFury | BT Sport Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/3OyKxNePSD pic.twitter.com/s5JhVH6aJw

— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) February 26, 2023