The boxing community has expressed its dissatisfaction with BT Sport’s announcement regarding the cost of watching Jake Paul and Tommy Fury’s upcoming bout.
It has taken almost two years of discussions, but the two boxers have made a deal to face each other this month.
The bout is taking place in Saudi Arabia; unfortunately, the fight will be shown on pay-per-view, and fans have expressed their frustration at the £19.95 fee.
This is understandable since neither Fury nor Paul are big names amongst the hardcore fans. Despite coming from the Fury family, Tommy’s professional record of 8-0 does not include a big-name boxer.
As for Paul, he has yet to fight a real boxer, with his record being padded out by UFC fighters and Youtubers. The fee, therefore, has rightly come under scrutiny.
And this was reflected in the comments that followed on social media.
Social Media Reaction
Watch it down the pub for free👈😆😆
— Team Leader (@TeamLeader0) February 16, 2023
World’s gone. Seriously. £19.95 used to get you AJ/Klitchscko, Brook/Golovkin, Froch/Groves – with cracking undercards too. It’s absolutely embarrassing.
— Paul (@PHarnett24) February 16, 2023
I wouldn't pay 19p
— Paul (@FAC1981) February 16, 2023
Aside from the price point, there is another element that has added further controversy to the fight. The WBC has stated that if Paul can overcome Fury, he will get a worldwide ranking.
With that being said, the American is full of confidence about his future in boxing.
In an interview with Sky Boxing, Paul said: “I want to become a world champion. I’m going to become a world champions, and these fights are all just stepping stones to get there. I’m slowly improving.
“I’ve sparred against world champions and done phenomenal against them, so who knows what can happen in two to three years from now when I go into my athletic prime? I’m starting to really, really get this sport and all aspects of it. It’s really actually scary what could possibly happen.”
If the social media reaction is anything to go by, then the fight may struggle to raise the revenue that the fighters were expecting.