Boxing fans finally know how much the Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury PPV fee is and let’s just say they’re finding the whole thing rather laughable.
Despite numerous on-and-off, ‘will they won’t they’ shenanigans over the past year or so, it looks like we’ll finally be getting to the Fury vs Paul fight after all — barring any more last-minute visa or injury problems, of course (we’ve been burned before).
Scheduled for Sunday, 26 February, the fight will be held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh as opposed to back in the UK or in the US as previously planned. However, whether fight fans on both sides of the Atlantic will be watching is another question entirely.
Revealing the PPV (pay-per-view) price on Thursday, 16 February, journalist Michael Benson confirmed that those interested in the much-talked-about match-up will cost them just under £20.
While it is by no means the most expensive PPV boxing match viewers will have ever come across, given the calibre of the opponents (each still relatively early in their fighting careers), many are arguing the price is still too high.
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Moreover, given the ongoing discussion surrounding the recent advent of celebrity and exhibition fights — started by the likes of KSI, Jake and his older brother Logan Paul — many still feel these bouts do constitute ‘proper boxing’ and are tarnishing the sport.
On the other hand, others continue to argue that by allowing these one-off events and bringing in more high-profile names, they are generating significant revenue and further exposure for boxing.
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Nevertheless, it’s pretty clear what the general consensus is when it comes to Jake Paul, Tommy Fury and the PPV fee they are deemed to be worth, with many labelling it “robbery”, “an absolute joke” and declaring boxing as “dead”.
Boxing is embarassing now. I used to be a fan, now I just mostly laugh at it.
However, there is still plenty of hype around the fight especially after being talked up for such a long time, along with the usual trash-talking and punch-up pageantry.
The latest from the home camp is that Tommy is in fine form ahead of the fight — at least that’s the word from father John. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said “there have been a few visits to the hospital” after several knockdowns, a fair few “cold knockouts from Tommy” and one sparring partner even suffering a “hairline fracture in the jaw”.
As he puts it, the younger Fury brother has been “destroying his sparring partners” but you’ll just have to wait and see if the two can match all the talk on the night.
Featured Image — Jake Paul/Tommy Fury (via Instagram)
Sport
Former Manchester City player Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting his wife
Danny Jones
Ex-footballer Joey Barton has officially been found guilty of assaulting his wife following his two-day trial in the capital this week.
Barton, who played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and a number of other clubs, was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 March, following an incident back in June 2021.
The former midfielder left his wife, 37-year-old Georgia Barton (McNeil), with a bleeding nose and a bruise on her forehead following a drunken row at their home in London.
Barton is said to have grabbed and pushed her to the floor before kicking her in the head. Married in 2019, the two have four children and are thought to still be together.
The 42-year-old was still employed in professional football as the manager of Bristol Rovers at the time, but he was ultimately sacked in October 2023.
His wife called 999 at the time, telling police that he had hit her, but later retracted her statement.
Born in Huyton, Merseyside, the chief magistrate Paul Goldspring recognised that the one-time England has a history of violence.
He was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence, meaning he won’t serve time unless he commits another offence and has been ordered to pay £2,138.
Since dropping out of mainstream football, in particular, Barton has come under heavy criticism for allegations of racism, sexism and controversial right-wing politics; he even started an ‘anti-woke’ podcast called Common Sense with Joey Barton.
Back in June of last year, he was ordered to pay £35,000 in damages to settle a libel claim with presenter Jeremy Vine after a series of inflammatory comments made online.
The Radio 2 presenter sued Mr Barton earlier this year, after the former footballer wrote a series of posts suggesting Mr Vine had a sexual interest in children.
He also accused of threatening fellow former pro, Eni Aluko, after a torrent of abuse regarding her punditry online – the ex-England international even went so far as to say she no longer felt safe staying in the country.
The Hundred is calling for up-and-coming presenters to co-host this year’s tournament
Danny Jones
The Hundred 2025 is fast approaching and cricket’s fastest-growing tournament is once again asking for aspiring presenters to join their roster of co-hosts and help cover the action.
The fast-paced 100-ball format is entering its fifth year and next to T20, you find a more accessible and thrilling form of cricket, so it’s no wonder the competition is gaining a greater audience each year.
With that in mind, the need for a top-notch broadcast team is more crucial than ever but just like those who backed The Hundred in its infancy, they’re looking to invest in future creatives and on-screen talent.
Are you someone looking to get into presenting or know someone who is? Keep reading.
For the fifth year in a row, we want you to be part of #TheHundredRising! 🎤
So how does it work? Well, it’s pretty straightforward: The Hundred is looking for eight up-and-coming presenters to join their team of main venue hosts up and down the country.
Tasked with guiding and talking fans through an action-packed five weeks across all host cities, successful applicants will be responsible for building excitement and atmosphere inside the seven cricket grounds on each match day.
From player and pundit interviews to crowd engagement and interactive other activations with partnered brands, not to mention members of this year’s live music lineup, you’ll be a key part of putting out the top-quality sports and entertainment product they promise every year.
The best part of all is that no prior hosting experience is necessary – this is all about platforming you and The Hundred as a whole.
Successful applicants will be mentored by the main hosts at their respective venues and will attend a two-day workshop with special guests to get them ready to hit the stage this summer.
The ‘Rising Hosts’ scheme has been set up in tandem with their dedicated event production agency, Progress Productions, which will be in charge throughout the application and selection process.
Shortlisted applicants will then have their details shared with the ECB (English Cricket Board) who will be involved when it comes to making their final decisions.
It goes without saying that even if you just love sports or just want to find a way into the industry, this is an opportunity that is not to be missed.
Danny Jones -
16th February 2023 
