TOMMY FURY avoided a major slip up by getting up from the canvas to edge out a split-decision over Jake Paul.
Fury took home bragging rights, family reputations and most importantly remained unbeaten in Saudi Arabia.
GettyAn emotional Tommy Fury broke out into celebration once his victory was announced[/caption]
GettyThe pair have been feuding online for years and finally settled their dispute in the ring[/caption]
Two judges scored the bout 76-73 in his favour with one going 75-74 to Paul, who scored a knockdown in the eighth and final round.
Fury was floored with just minutes to go with a jab, but seemed to lose his balance more than anything else.
The tearful 23-year-old star dedicated the win to his girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague and newborn baby daughter Bambi.
He said: “Tonight I made my own legacy. I am Tommy Fury.
“I want to dedicate tonight to my baby girl and my missues, I love you, I can’t wait to see you. This fight was for you. I love you.”
Paul, beaten as a professional boxer for the first time, congratulated victor Fury and vowed to bounce back.
He said: “All respect to Tommy he won, don’t judge me by m wins judge me by my losses, I’ll come back.
“I think we deserve a rematch, it was a good fight, a close fight.”
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Fury came out the traps quickly inside the Diriyah Arena, built only weeks before the first bell.
Paul was looking for his trademark right hand from the get go but he struggled to get out of the way of the oncoming jab.
The second round Fury’s jab was the distance, landing at will and allowing him to drive his rival back with combinations.
But just as he was building momentum, Paul has a solid third round, landing overhand rights and sharp left hook counters.
Sensing the tide could turn, Fury came out confidently in the fourth, forcing Paul to cover up and winning the exchanges on the inside.
The American had a point taken off in the fifth for punching behind the back of the head and both landed big right hands.
GettyThe fight was feisty but lacked quality[/caption]
GettyPaul put Fury on the deck in the last round – but it wasn’t enough to win the fight[/caption]
Paul began to utilise his own jab well in the sixth, even rocking Fury’s head back to prevent the bout from running away from him.
Fury had a point taken for holding and as the fight reached the final six minutes, the action turned scrappy with both men guilty of holding on to catch a breather.
The final round proved to be the most dramatic as Paul dropped his man with a sharp counter jab.
Fury responded well and sank in big shots of his own to prove the punch caught him off guard.
Both novice professionals – with only 14 shared fights between them – fought till the final bell where a nervy wait followed.
Fury’s slicker and more consistent boxing skills prevailed, setting up a potential rematch for Paul, who has the option for a second fight.
He said: “Let’s run it back.”
Fury said: “If he wants a rematch, bring it on.”