In the lead-up to the highly anticipated 2023 boxing match between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury, a bizarre and fabricated 'script' for the fight was leaked online, sparking controversy and accusations of fight fixing.
The document, which made wild claims about the bout's predetermined outcome, was shared on social media by former UFC welterweight Mike Perry. Perry had been lined up as a reserve fighter for the showdown.
The Fabricated Fight Narrative
The purported script outlined a dramatic, round-by-round narrative for the eight-round contest. It claimed Jake Paul would secure a controversial technical knockout victory in the final round.
According to the fake document, the fight would see Tommy Fury struggle with a swelling left eye from the fourth round onwards. Despite a doctor's inspection in round five, the script described Fury continuing until the eighth, where a huge right hand from Paul would send him to the canvas.
The script's most controversial claim was that Fury would then 'act out an eye injury', forcing the referee to stop the fight and declare Paul the winner by TKO.
Promoters Swiftly Dismiss the Claims
Promoters for the event were quick to rubbish the leaked document. In a clear statement, they confirmed, 'We can confirm, it's fake.'
This incident was not an isolated one for Jake Paul, who has long faced persistent accusations of fixing his high-profile boxing matches. The social media star and pugilist has recently moved to take legal action against individuals who have publicly claimed his fights are pre-determined.
Reality Versus Fiction
In reality, the fight, which took place almost three years ago, unfolded very differently from the fictional script. Tommy Fury defeated Jake Paul via a split decision on points.
This was despite Paul managing to knock down the brother of former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury during the bout. The actual result firmly contradicted the leaked script's predicted ending.
The emergence of such fabricated materials highlights the intense scrutiny and speculation that surrounds celebrity boxing events, particularly those involving Jake Paul. It also underscores the rapid spread of misinformation on social media platforms, even when promptly debunked by official sources.
