Jake Paul and Tommy Fury’s highly-anticipated bout finally arrives this Sunday, 26 February and not only are fights fans and sceptics alike eager to see what happens, but some of boxing’s biggest names are getting their predictions in.
The influencer turned pro boxer and younger Fury brother have both talked a big game ahead of the fight, the build-up to which feels like it has been dragged out significantly as a result of multiple cancellations and rearrangements thanks to last-minute injuries, visa issues and so on.
However, the pair have now reached the point of no return and having had the official face-off, the boxing world is now left to decide whose going to win. Unsurprisingly, Tommy’s big brother Tyson is backing family but did finally concede that Jake can, indeed, fight.
Nevertheless, the ‘Gypsy King’ still believes “100% Tommy is going to win” and even believes it’ll be a knockout victory.
Although it’s clear there is now an acceptance among the Fury camp that the younger Paul brother can and has been fighting professionally for some time now, Tyson did caveat: “I don’t think he can beat a Fury, no”.
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He also went on to say he is “very proud” of his brother for putting on a proper main event like this, adding that “he has always believed in himself”, even when he was a little kid. As for the other Tyson present for the fight in Saudi Arabia, ‘Iron Mike’ had a different take on who he thinks is going to edge it.
As a true boxing legend and global sporting icon, many might have assumed that Mike Tyson would pretty resistant to the rising celebrity and influencer advent within the discipline, but having proved himself to be taking this thing seriously after six straight wins, he’s clearly convinced ‘Kid Dynamite’.
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The 56-year-old admitted that while he hasn’t seen Tommy Fury fight before, he said: “I don’t think he’ll be able to beat Jake Paul”. He also believes the 26-year-old is only getting “better and better as he fights”, insisting that “someone’s getting knocked out… someones 0 has got to go”.
On the other hand, while both fighters are currently undefeated in their fledgling careers — Fury boasting just two more wins than Paul — and Tyson believes that he is “the biggest name in boxing right now besides the heavyweights”, the likes of Derek Chisora can’t seem to decide what the fight means.
Derek Chisora told me it’s “a disgrace to boxing” if the WBC give Jake Paul an official world ranking for defeating Tommy Fury pic.twitter.com/ROwy1xxElS
Despite initially telling IFL TV that he believes Paul will “get knocked out… along as he’s getting paid” (a suspicion many have levelled given all of the hype thus far), Chisora has most recently named the American as the favourite but still feels all the posturing might be his downfall.
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Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “all the odds are favouring Jake and everything, all the fans are saying ‘Jake, Jake, Jake’. But I’ve got a feeling that Jake might get stopped by Tommy, but if that happens then ‘oh wow’.”
Moreover, it seems he is more concerned with what a victory for Paul would mean for boxing at large after the WBC said he would gain a ranking if he beats Fury. Chisora noted that “it’s hard enough for real athletes, real boxers to gain those rankings” and the rules shouldn’t be bent for the sake of money.
These are just a few of the boxers who have given their Paul vs Fury predictions and, aside from the result, it seems so many both within the industry and beyond can’t decide whether it’s good for the sport or not.
What do you think and who do you think is going to take the W on Sunday?
You can watch the highlights from the final pre-match press conference and a rather fiery face-off down below:
Featured Image — BT Sport/Boxing Social (via Twitter)/Jake Paul (via IG)
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Tributes pour in following the death of beloved Man United Disabled Supporters’ Association secretary
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the news that Chas Banks, the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association’s (MUDSA) long-serving secretary, has sadly passed away aged 74.
While he may not be a name known to most football fans in Greater Manchester, within the walls of Old Trafford, Chas Banks is just as important as any past player or manager, as his work helping develop disability provision, support and facilities at the club has been crucial for generations of fans.
Having been a part of the vital fan organisation ever since 1997, the year after he became disabled himself, the MUDSA legend and loyal servant “worked tirelessly to improve the experiences of disabled supporters not just at Manchester United but across our game in the years since.
Chas Banks MBE passed away following a short illness and Man United fans, along with those associated with the club, have been sharing tributes to “a true Red” through and through online.
"From cradle to grave… I was born a Red and I will always be one."
Everyone at United mourns the sad loss of beloved @MUDSAO chairman, Chas Banks.
Floored to hear Chas Banks has passed away aged 74. Vital for MUDSA, he did a huge amount for disabled supporters. I went to several games as his carer and tried to see what it was like for fans in wheelchairs. He was hugely supportive of UWS, of me and all we did. RIP Chas
Sharing the news in an official club announcement, United said they were “profoundly saddened by the loss of our longstanding friend.”
Having been attending the Theatre of Dreams since 1957, much of Banks’ life has been spent in and around the club and after being named the MUDSA secretary in 2016, his work with the Supporters’ Trust, Manchester United Foundation and the wider local community has been vital for so many.
“Chas always sought to improve the environment for fans and MUDSA members”, the statement continues; “he helped shape and drive forward the club’s £11 million investment in the stadium’s accessible facilities that created 118 new wheelchair positions and 158 new amenity seats, doubling the capacity of these sections in Old Trafford.
“As part of this project, the South Stand platform and Ability Suite were also upgraded and this is where Chas would often be found on matchdays and where he held many of his famous MUDSA events.
As for the Disabled Supporters’ Association themselves, they shared a brief but heartfelt statement on their website, expressing their “great sadness” as well as asking fellow Reds to respect his family’s privacy during this difficult time.
They went on to add: “Chas worked extremely hard for MUDSA as well as many other organisations he was involved with and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. This Friday’s MUDSA Annual Dinner would have been Chas’ 25th [anniversary], and it will go ahead in his honour.”
Club COO Collette Roche added: “This is truly devastating news for all of us at the club who knew and worked with Chas. He was an important figure within our fan community and represented MUDSA with integrity and passion, as well as playing a significant role on our Fans’ Forum for almost a decade.
“Chas was a relentless advocate for the interests of fans with disabilities and played such an important part in driving forward the development of our accessible facilities at the stadium.
“We send our sincere condolences to Chas’s family and friends. The best tribute we can pay to Chas is to continue strengthening the bond between the club and MUDSA and continuing his hard work to make our game accessible for all.”
As a token of observance, a special wreath will be placed in the Ability Suite ahead of kick-off against Leicester tonight (Wednesday, 30 October) by fellow club legend turned ambassador, Denis Irwin, in remembrance of Chas and his great contribution to MUDSA and the United family as a whole.
Rest in peace to an important fan figurehead who will be fondly remembered and whose contribution to disability support at the club will never be forgotten.
A brand-new half marathon and running event is coming to Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
For those of you who love running or are simply looking to set yourself a challenge in the new year, a brand-new half marathon and community event is coming to Greater Manchester and Media City, specifically, this coming February.
Created by RunThrough, the UK’s largest and Europe’s fastest-growing running events company, the inaugural Media City Half Marathon is set to land right in the heart of Salford Quays and is tipped to be one of the fastest routes in the region.
The organisers have already delivered the increasingly well-attended Run Media City series in the area, which sees Mancs and more smash 5 and 10k races on the last Thursday of every month, but this will be the first race of this length to be hosted there and is sure to prove just as popular.
As for the first-ever Media City Half Marathon, it’s taking place on Sunday, 16 February and if you fancy notching a new personal best, this one is for you.
This brand-new event will offer runners a super fast, closed-road course, ideal for setting records, all while through the Media CityUK scenery and surrounding path of Salford Quays.
Clocking in at the required 13.1 miles distance for a half marathon (or 21.1km if you prefer metric like us), the run will feature two flat and scenic laps, beginning and ending at the home of BBC’s Northern hub and the historic Manchester Ship Canal, before winding through the heart of Salford and Eccles.
It’s also worth noting that this is a closed-road race complete with clearly marked kilometre signs along the way and designed to support runners of all abilities, so don’t be scared off by the distance if you’ve never done it before.
Plus, marshals and event staff will be stationed along the course to help cheer participants on as they make their way to the finish line and we sincerely hope that once word gets out, there’ll be plenty more locals lining the running route and showing their support.
Matt Wood, co-founder of RunThrough, said: “We’re thrilled to bring a half marathon to such an iconic location in Media City.
“This event showcases the best of Salford, and we’re excited to welcome runners to experience the new course in 2025.”
Registration for the debut Media City Half Marathon is now open, with limited spots available for what is already a highly anticipated event. For further details and to secure a place, with prices starting from just £32 visit the official event website HERE.
With 270 events set to be delivered by RunThrough in 2025, attracting over a quarter of a a million participants across local landmark races such as the Run Tatton series and many more, let’s just say it’s going to be a good year for the kudos.
Danny Jones -
24th February 2023 
