Boxing’s slop ecosystem remains healthy after last Friday’s Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson debacle, as Tommy Fury will meet former UFC title challenger Darren Till in a January 18th DAZN main event at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
As far as I’m aware, it’s an exhibition.
Fury (10-0, 4 KO) spent 2023 establishing himself as the king of influencer boxing with tight decisions over Paul and KSI, though he’ll end up missing all of 2024 with injury. He’s at that weird level of skill where he’s too good for most sideshow attractions but doesn’t have a particularly high ceiling as a genuine pro, so it’s not surprising to see him try to squeeze blood from the old “shot former MMA guy” stone.
Till (18-5-1 MMA) enjoyed a much-hyped rise through the UFC’s welterweight (170 lbs.) ranks through a combination of solid self-promotion, basic-but-effective boxing, and being roughly the size of a barge, culminating in a controversial decision over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson to up his record to 17-0-1 and earn a shot at champion Tyron Woodley in 2018.
Woodley wound up clubbing him with a right hand before choking him out and it was all downhill from there. Jorge Masvidal got off the canvas to spark him in one punch, then a redemptive middleweight debut win over Kelvin Gastelum gave way to three straight losses. Injuries and technical stagnation have left Till a shell of his former self, though he did pick up an exhibition boxing win via rabbit punch earlier this year.
Fury: “It feels great to finally say that I am back! I have been out of the ring far too long.
“I’ve been getting itchy knuckles so I am thrilled to be able to announce my return, headlining a massive event in my hometown and in front of my fans.
“Till had a good UFC career but he’s stepping into the boxing ring now, against a proper pro, and he will quickly realise that he is out of his depth and this is not the game for him.
“I plan on dealing with Till in conclusive fashion and then chasing even bigger fights in 2025.”
Till: “January 18 is my time, my night.”