Tommy Fury outpointed giant strongman Eddie Hall with fans left furious with the result.
Fury struggled to deal with Hall’s sheer size over the six rounds but was given the nod by two of the three guest judges with the third scoring the bout a draw. “Anybody out there who thinks Eddie Hall is a strongman who can’t fight, think again,” Fury said. “He’s big, he’s not slow and he’s fit. All credit to Eddie Hall, and thank you for a great night in Manchester.”
Hall, who was fighting in only his second boxing contest, said: “Tommy is a hard guy to catch. I had to have a good engine to keep up with the pace, and that’s what beat me in the hand. Hopefully I get back to MMA but if there’s boxing, I’ll box wherever it is.”
Fury used his ringwalk to unveil his son’s name – Midas – after he and fiancee Molly-Mae Hague welcomed him into the world earlier this week. He walked to the ring to England’s football anthem It’s Coming Home while his rival simply stormed through the ropes in double-quick time.
And he wasted no time in attempting to end the fight in the opening seconds, rushing at Fury as soon as the first bell sounded. Fury was giving away 100lb in weight and struggled to deal with the onrushing strongman. Fury began to pump out his jab in the second round but his face was beginning to bruise and it was Hall who was the busier man.
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The rivals traded right hands in the third round as Hall continued to stalk Fury. The two-minute sessions suited the big man but Fury began to target his opponent’s body in an attempt to slow him down. Hall had the crowd on their feet in the fourth round when he pinned Fury against the ropes and attempted to let his hands go, but Fury slipped away.
The pace had slowed considerably by the fifth round with Fury landing pot shots while staying well clear of Hall’s backhand. Over the final two minutes, Hall attempted to smother Fury and land clean but the Love Island Star was too quick on his feet. But he struggled to land clean himself and was forced to rely on the judges.
Guest officials Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Chase DeMoor scored the fight 59-56, 58-56, 57-57.