Tommy Fury has entered the WBC cruiserweight rankings for the first time and fans are stunned about his placement.
'TNT' beat Jake Paul to move to 9-0 in professional boxing, emerging victorious via split decision after the eight-round fight went the distance in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Fury earned the biggest purse of his fledgling career, said to be in the region of £2.5 million, and was also awarded the one-off Diriyah championship belt after inflicting Paul's first defeat.
Going into the bout, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman had said the winner would receive a top 40 ranking in the cruiserweight division and doubled down after Fury's triumph.
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"Well, the new ranking will come next week and, yes, he will be ranked," Sulaiman said.
"The WBC has 40 fighters ranked per each division. And what I said personally was that the winner would be ranked, and I didn’t mention any number at all, any position at all.
"So, the rankings committee will meet over the beginning of the month and make the assessment."
Fury has predominantly fought at light heavyweight but it's now been confirmed that he is 39th in the cruiserweight division, one ahead of 8-0 Viddal Riley, who also had an impressive amateur career.
The 23-year-old has discussed a potential rematch with Paul but him being ranked means he could now face fighters of a much better ilk going forward.
One fan reacted: "Excellent so we can assume his next bout will be against someone in the top 40 then. Get this career actually moving and see if he’s got any ability whatsoever?"
A second said: "Fury vs Viddal is actually a fight I’d want to stick that on the Fury Usyk card or something (if it happens)."
A third concurred: "Viddal Vs Tommy is a really good matchup though to be honest."
Another weighed in, writing: "Tommy Fury higher than Viddal Riley is nuts."
A fifth came in strong, stating: "Imagine being an unranked prospect just outside the Top 40 behind 2 men that have 0.0% chance of ever winning a world title. WBC define all that’s wrong with boxing in 2023."
However, his father and trainer John has hinted at further fights with YouTubers - admitting interest in bouts against both KSI and Salt Papi.
Topics: Tommy Fury, Boxing, Jake Paul
Josh Lawless