A former Disney Channel child actor turned social media personality and the runner-up from reality TV dating show Love Island will headline a pay-per-view show in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night and it’s all anybody in and around boxing is talking about.

In pugilistic terms, both Jake Paul and Tommy Fury are raw novices. The American hasn’t even stepped into a ring with a professional boxer to date, whilst Fury’s list of previous opponents has been far from credible.

And yet their eight-round cruiserweight contest out in Diriyah will be watched by a substantial global audience.

The winner will emerge not only with millions of dollars in cash but also ultimate bragging rights to fuel their social media empires and – worst of all – a top 40 ranking with the WBC.

Once the most respected sanctioning body in the sport, the Mexico-based World Boxing Council have cashed in their integrity and credibility. As far as they are concerned, skills don’t pay the bills in boxing any more. It’s all about your social media presence.

The fight itself actually makes sense. Two novice pro’s with unbeaten records and a couple of impressive knockouts. In fact, I wish evenly matched fights like this happened more frequently at this level, the sport would be richer for it.

But make no mistake, this fight is of a certain level. English title level.

A lot of fight fans and fighters are furious this is the main event of a PPV card, with the cruiserweight championship of the world being defended on the undercard. But I have no issue with it.

If champion Ilunga Makabu and challenger Badou Jack were big enough attractions then they wouldn’t need to prop themselves up against this main event.

The reason this fight is PPV on BT Sport in the UK and ESPN+ in the US is down to the main protagonists. And, admittedly, for the first time in this celebrity faux-boxing sphere, traditional fight fans are also intrigued by the outcome: Can either of these guys actually compete at a credible level?

Paul, 26, has a 6-0 record featuring five opponents; a social media personality, a former NBA star and three retired MMA fighters. Four were making their boxing debuts, with only two fights going the distance. His most recent foe was 47 years old.

For a relative novice, Jake can fight. He’s clearly working hard in the gym, has surrounded himself with experienced individuals and he’s taking his boxing serious.

He covers up well, isn’t afraid to get hit and thrives in the trenches. His skills are rudimentary, but he’s 100% in the moment and clearly has passion the sport.

Fury, 23, was born into this life. When you’re the younger half-brother of the heavyweight champion of the world it’s impossible not to gravitate to the ring.

But whilst Tyson was born to be a fighter, Tommy is yet to prove he’s cut from the same cloth.

His 8-0 career has followed a path more familiar with novice pro’s; off-TV undercards up and down the country against journeymen who come to survive rounds rather than win them.

Fury does appear to have a much stronger skill set in terms of punch variety. He isn’t just a hooker, he has a decent jab, throws nice uppercuts and can punch off the back foot too.

But this matchup will come down to one thing: who wants it most. Both chins will be checked, both men’s gas tanks will be drained. But who is willing to go further than the other to keep their pride in check?

Either way, controversy is guaranteed. After all, don’t allow the occasion to get in the way of a financially viable rematch.

TIP: DRAW !!!