The long-awaited professional boxing debut of controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been plunged into controversy before a punch has even been thrown. Tate, 39, will face reigning Misfits heavyweight champion Chase DeMoor on Saturday, December 20 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
Heated Press Conference Reveals Contract Dispute
The animosity between the two fighters was laid bare at a fiery press conference in Dubai. DeMoor launched a scathing attack, revealing that Tate had insisted on a specific weight clause being inserted into their fight contract. "I unfortunately cannot eat tangerines because Mr Tate is so scared of me that he put a 40lb weight clause in there," DeMoor stated, after Tate offered him a piece of fruit.
Tate, a former kickboxing world champion, appeared taken aback by the accusation, questioning whether weight limits were unusual in boxing matches. The exchange quickly escalated into a war of words. DeMoor blasted the stipulation, insisting, "For a heavyweight title fight, there should not be." He further claimed Tate had also demanded the bout be limited to six rounds instead of the ten he wanted.
Following in Jake Paul's Footsteps
This tactical move by Tate mirrors the strategy employed by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul for his own upcoming heavyweight clash. Paul, a natural cruiserweight, faces Anthony Joshua on December 19 under a rule that prevents Joshua from weighing more than 245lbs. Similarly, Tate, who spent much of his kickboxing career at light-heavyweight, has implemented a weight limit against the naturally larger DeMoor.
Despite the pre-fight drama, Tate insisted he is taking the contest seriously. "It's not influencer boxing. It's boxing. I have trained 100 per cent," he declared. DeMoor, however, remained unconvinced, accusing Tate of securing every possible advantage, from the venue to the judges. The champion even challenged Tate to a high-stakes bet, which was declined.
How to Watch the Fight
The blockbuster showdown is scheduled for Saturday, December 20 in Dubai. The main card is expected to begin around 6pm UK time, with the main event ring walks likely at approximately 10pm UK time (which will be 2am on Sunday morning locally). All action will be streamed live on Rumble Premium, with a monthly subscription costing £7.48.
With just over two weeks until fight night, the tension is palpable. Tate's strategic weight clause has certainly added an extra layer of intrigue to his highly-anticipated return to combat sports.
