Tyson Fury suggested prior to Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua being announced that he would make a £1million wager.
And incredibly, he suggested he would back Paul to record one of the biggest upsets in boxing history and knock out Joshua.
Derek Chisora reveals plea to Anthony Joshua in private messages over Jake Paul fight: ‘People will be annoyed’ – exclusive
Now the pair have officially announced their stunning heavyweight clash which will take place on December 19 in Miami.
Paul had called out Joshua earlier in the year, and a bout looked a realistic possibility despite their vast gulf in experience.
And when reacting to the reports at the time in August, Fury made a stunning prediction.
He said: “Jake Paul chins AJ, yes. 100 per cent. If they fight, I’m putting a million pounds on Jake Paul.”
Fury later added: “I think that AJ is a spent force, and I think Jake Paul is on the rise.
“I like his new heavyweight look, he is a bit chubby, a bit bulky, he is getting there.”
The prediction of course came as a huge surprise, but is likely one to spite his long-term rival.
As in any fight, Paul has a small puncher’s chance, but he is a massive underdog against the former two-time world heavyweight champion.
The short answer appears to be no, he will likely need a miracle in the eyes of most boxing experts.
Paul has had just one fight at heavyweight, a bizarre exhibition with 59-year-old Mike Tyson who he beat in lacklustre fashion last November.
3
The YouTube sensation didn’t have an amateur career and has had 13 professional fights against limited opposition.
Meanwhile, Joshua is an Olympic gold medallist and has had a sensational rise to superstardom during his time in the paid ranks.
Joshua has duelled with the likes of undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk and has wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Dillian Whyte to his name.
Backlash is rife, but the pair will take to the ring in a bout which has received professional sanctioning.
Fury could have a keen eye on the clash as it could well serve as a tune-up for Joshua if he is to face the ‘Gypsy King’ next year.
The Morecambe native is currently retired, but has indicated he may be open on some occasions to making a U-turn, particularly to face Usyk.
3
3
It was revealed on talkSPORT by promoter Eddie Hearn that Joshua has agreed his side of the deal to face Fury.
And Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has suggested Joshua could fight in Saudi Arabia in February before teasing a clash with Fury later in 2026.
He said: “We have next year two big events here in London. It will be a surprise.
“We will have Joshua in our country (Saudi) in February then there is the big fight, one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing it will be in London here in September.”
Dillon Gabriel’s fiancée had some strong words for Cleveland Browns fans who celebrated the rookie quarterback going down against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Gabriel started his fifth game of the season against the Ravens but didn’t emerge from the locker room after the half. He was placed in concussion protocol and was quickly ruled out.
With Gabriel sidelined, Shedeur Sanders took over at quarterback and was met with raucous cheers at Huntington Bank Field. Gabriel’s fiancée, Zo Caswell, offered an update on the Browns quarterback’s condition and didn’t hold back on fans who cheered his injury.
“To those of you who have reached out concerned about Dillon, he is doing great and will be back soon! We are grateful for your support,” Caswell said in a TikTok video. “And to the ‘Browns’ fans at the game on Sunday night, if you cheered at the start of the second half knowing he was hurt, there’s a special place in h*** for you. You should feel ashamed of yourselves. Players are real people, not fictional characters in a movie. Do better, be better.”
One notable comment on the post came from Travis Hunter’s wife, Leanna Hunter.
“Travis and I are sending you and Dillon SO MUCH love. God has so many good things in store for both of yall,” she wrote.
To be fair, it wasn’t immediately clear to those in the stadium that Gabriel had left the game because of an injury. He’s struggled this season and had thrown for just 68 yards in the first half before exiting. Still, the crowd let its frustration show, booing and even chanting for Sanders whenever Gabriel misfired on a pass.
Sanders was the recipient of loud cheers when he entered the game. But after the matchup, Sanders called on fans to support Gabriel when he’s running the offense.
“Well first let me say this. Dillon’s out there playing and all that, I appreciate the fans. I appreciate everybody, but I’m a good person overall, so I don’t really like him not feeling comfortable, confident when he gets out there,” Sanders said, referencing the boos. “So it puts everything in a tough spot and it’s not helping the team. So that could be taken as, ‘OK, I’m being a distraction even though I ain’t doing nothing,’ You know? I’m not doing nothing.
“But I’m thankful for the supporters, thankful for the fans, thankful for everybody out there that believes. And yeah, when I got out there, I definitely felt them, and I’m truly thankful for it. I’m thankful, seeing all them ’12’ jerseys out there, and it was a great feeling for that.”
Gabriel’s status for Sunday is uncertain but it appears unlikely he’ll be cleared to play on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com said it’s almost a certainty that Sanders will draw his first NFL start this week.
“Browns Shedeur Sanders is expected to start Sunday’s game in Las Vegas with Dillon Gabriel in the concussion protocol. Barring something unexpected, Sanders will make his starting debut, becoming the 42nd Browns starter since 1999,” Cabot wrote on X.
The Browns have yet to make an official announcement. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday he’d provide an update later in the week when more was known about Gabriel’s condition.
Sanders completed just 4-of-16 passes in his half of action against the Ravens for 47 yards with an interception.