Jake Paul and Tommy Fury go face-to-face ahead of fight

Tommy Fury and Jake Paul shared a verbal spar inside the ring for the first time, with the two men set to meet in around a month's time.

Fury and Paul have been in a long running rivalry across social media for some time now and have attempted to get an actual fight arranged throughout.

On two occasions they have had to cancel the arranged brawl just ahead of it, with the English fighter picking up an injury in training ahead of the first one.

That has not dulled their passion to get in the ring opposite each other, and earlier this week the fight was finally set for February 26th in Saudi Arabia.

Paul continued the rivalry earlier this week, when he appeared to announce the birth of his rival's child with partner Molly-Mae, before the couple could.

Having been face-to-face only a couple of times in the past, the two men finally got in a ring together on Saturday night, ahead of Anthony Yarde's attempts to win the light heavyweight title from Artur Beterbiev at Wembley Arena.

The two men butted heads as Josh Denzel attempted to interview them, and the two fighter's camps had to split them up as it threatened to boil over.

"I swear to god, you're finished on February 26th," Fury said to his rival.

"He's fought taxi drivers, he has no chin. You're not built for this, it's all bravado," the American hit back.

A shirtless Fury claimed he'd beaten people better than Paul when he was 14, whilst the 'Problem Child' claimed his rival was going to lose to a 'former Disney star.'

𝑾𝑬𝑳𝑳 𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑻 𝑾𝑨𝑺 𝑬𝑿𝑷𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑰𝑽𝑬 👀

Jake Paul and Tommy Fury meet in the middle of the ring 🥊@jakepaul 🆚 @TommytntFury. Who you got? 🤔#BeterbievYarde | BT Sport 1 #Boxing #FightNight #JakePaul #TommyFury #PaulFury pic.twitter.com/mJCfmOhCs3

— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) January 28, 2023

Fury's older brother Tyson, the heavyweight champion of the world, has claimed that he would force his younger brother to change his surname if he lost to the YouTuber.

The American played up to that, warning Fury it was coming, whilst saying he loved Tyson, whilst Tommy kept saying that his upcoming opponent's career was 'over,' once he lost to the Love Island star.

Boos could be heard in the arena on television, as the pair made their way into the ring, and fans on social media weren't impressed either.

"What’s he doing with his top off the weapon," one fan asked.

"Reality tv. This should be the sun reporting on this, not BT Sport," a second added.

Ahead of WWE's annual Royal Rumble, many were comparing it to the sports entertainment, but one fan wasn't having it, replying, "Disrespectful to say this is WWE. It’s far worse!"

Commenting on how late Frank Warren card's have a tendency to go, another responded, "It’s 22.20 and we have to sit through this rubbish when there is a genuine fight that’s supposed to be on."

"Has that announcer really just said 'Two of the biggest name in boxing?' Tommy isn’t even the biggest name in his own house!" another perfectly summed up.

And a sixth wrapped up the feelings of many, opining, "Embarrassing to the sport this fight is even getting coverage like it is."

Jake Paul and Tommy Fury face-to-face 🔥🥊#BeterbievYarde | BT Sport 1 | #PaulFury pic.twitter.com/jGMm5GDyUg

— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) January 28, 2023

No matter who loses the fight they will surely have to call time on their career as a 'serious' boxer and accept being relegated to the role of only being on social media cards.

The American's opponents have included a former NBA player, another YouTuber and several former UFC stars, including legend Anderson Silva.

The Brazilian was his most recent opponent, and was the first man who he fought who'd previously had a boxing match against someone who wasn't Paul himself.

Fury has only fought eight times in a professional setting, with six of those coming since his appearance on Love Island, all against very low level opponents.

He has failed to finish any of his past three fights inside the distance and it would be a huge embarrassment to him, his family and the sport if he lost next month.