In a bizarre Derek Chisora-hosted press conference for Jake Paul versus Tommy Fury in which only half of the main event was present, the question of Paul’s legitimacy in the ring reared its head once more.
Paul is set to face Fury in Saudi Arabia on February 26, however the Brit has personal matters that have stopped him from flying out and fulfilling the first of his media obligations. That left the American to do the heavy promotional lifting alone.
His last outing was a decision victory over MMA legend, Anderson Silva. Although Silva saw the scorecards, he was knocked down in the eighth and final round of the contest. Some fans, as well as combat sports stars like Paddy Pimblett, have questioned the legitimacy of the knockdown.
In a bit of filler conversation, Chisora – who has assumed his role as ambassador/promoter for boxing in Saudi Arabia – asked Paul to prove to people that his knockdown of Silva was real.
“Your last shot you knocked him down on, people [said] you didn’t catch him right on that. Can you try and correct that for me?”
For his part, the American said what he’s been saying all along – of course he hit him and of course it wasn’t planned. He points to too many people having to be involved in the shady scheme for it to be possible.
“I think it’s hilarious. There’s multiple camera angles that show the punch landing on his chin. It’s disrespectful to Anderson Silva – one of the greatest combat athletes of all time – to say that he took a dive.”
“He was coming to fight, coming to win, trying to take my head off, and I was the better man that night.”
Chisora then faced off with Paul to signal the end of the spectacle. Fury is expected to be in attendance for the fight week press duties – and they’re expected to be just as strange.