BBC star Amol Rajan put Tommy Fury in the same ‘influencer’ category as Jake and Logan Paul despite Fury fighting as a professional boxer before going on Love Island
Tommy Fury has been classed as an “influencer” and not a boxer despite becoming a professional fighter before his Love Island stint. BBC Radio 4 presenter Amol Rajan was speaking about the dangers social media personalities face when they step in the ring with pro pugilists.
Popular YouTuber Jake Paul will face down former heavy weight world champion and Olympic gold medallist Antony Joshua tonight. Mr Rajan made the comments in an interview with boxing pundit Steve Bunce about the Paul-Joshua bout.
He said: “For those who don’t like boxing full stop, they think people shouldn’t be getting punched in the head and getting paid to take those punches.
“What do they need to know about the additional safety measures when the likes of a Jake or Logan Paul and Tommy Fury, who are all influencers, are fighting.”
The comments will likely be met with anger from the Fury camp. Tommy previously responded with disgust when asked if he was an influencer.
He said: “God, no. Good grief man, no. What do I influence? I think I am a sportsman with a big fat following on social media.
“Molly is an influencer. That is where she makes her money whereas I make my big money in the ring.”
Popular Brit Anthony Joshua has not fought since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois 15 months ago. Joshua lost out on the chance to become a three-time ruler of boxing’s premier division and has taken a year out to regroup. He returns tonight against YouTuber Paul in a fight nobody saw coming – and few people want to see.
But the fighters will meet in the ring in a few short hours with Joshua the overwhelming favourite to knock out Paul inside the opening couple of rounds. Paul insists it is he who will have his hand raised in what would be the biggest upset in boxing history. Here is everything you need to know about tonight’s fight…
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are expected to walk to the ring at around 3.30am UK time on Saturday, with the fight starting just afterwards. The first fight of the night is scheduled to start at 10pm while the main card is scheduled to kick off at 1am.
All fight times are subject to change and will depend on how long the undercard takes to complete.
The Daily Star has contacted the BBC for comment.
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