It's finally time for Jake Paul to make his return to the ring. The social media star turned boxer is set to take on Tommy Fury on Sunday in Saudi Arabia after multiple attempts to make the matchup in 2022. It all begins at 2 p.m. ET and airs live on ESPN+ PPV.
Paul (6-0, 4 KO) was supposed to face Tommy Fury, brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, only to see the fight fall through for a second time when Fury was barred from entering the United States. Now, the two appear to have worked things out with the fight being hosted in Saudi Arabia.
Paul, 26, was able to fight just once in 2022 after the multiple delays endured from the Fury fights falling through. He scored his most impressive win to date when he outpointed Anderson Silva and scored a late knockdown in the fight. Fury, meanwhile, boasts an 8-0 mark with four knockouts to his name, but his level of competition has also lacked any major challenge or threat.
"I'm so excited for this fight because I can finally silence the critics who have said, 'Fight a professional boxer, fight someone your age.' I agree. I haven't proven that. But this is why this fight is so big," Paul said. "This is why I'm so excited. This is why I've given this guy multiple chances and paid him so much money to finally show up. And it really seemed like the only time he wanted to get into the ring is when I increased the amount of money. So, thankfully he's here now."
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The co-main event sees one of the champions in the division Paul and Fury typically call home in action. WBC crusierweight titleholder Ilunga Junior Makabu puts his championship on the line when he battles veteran Badou Jack. Makabu, 35, holds a 29-2 record against mostly unheralded opposition. His last loss came in a big step-up opportunity against former champion Tony Bellew in 2016. He's ripped off 10 wins in a row since then with seven coming by stoppage.
Jack, meanwhile, could make history as the oldest fighter to win a championship in the division at 39. Jack has won five in a row since a pair of failed bids to claim light heavyweight gold in 2019 against Marcus Browne and Jean Pascal.
CBS Sports will also have live coverage of the fight with round-by-round scoring and blow-by-blow updates to keep you up to date throughout the night.
Below is the rest of the fight card and all the information you'll need to catch the action on Sunday afternoon.
Paul vs. Fury card, odds
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
| Favorite | Underdog | Weight class |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Paul -190 | Tommy Fury +160 | Cruiserweight |
| Ilunga Makabu (c) -190 | Badou Jack +160 | WBC cruiserweight title |
Paul vs. Fury viewing info
- Date: Feb. 26 | Start time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- How to watch: ESPN+ PPV | Price: $49.99
Paul vs. Fury countdown
- Staff predictions and preview of the main event
- Brookhouse: Paul vs. Fury winner getting a ranking isn't that crazy
Who wins Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury? And which plus-money prop is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see Peter Kahn's best bets for Saturday, all from the boxing specialist who has netted his followers a profit of more than $4,000, and find out.
