Jake Paul will face former UFC competitor Mike Perry in a boxing match on the date when the YouTuber-turned-fighter had been due to meet sporting icon Mike Tyson.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson pulled out of the scheduled bout at Texas’ AT&T Stadium on July 20 because of complications around an ulcer flare-up.
The notoriously volatile Perry, who fought 15 times in the UFC between 2016 and 2021, has now stepped in, with Paul’s showdown with Tyson rescheduled for November 15.
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“As I prepare for my fight against ‘Iron Mike’, there’s no better opponent for me than Mike Perry,” Paul told ESPN, adding that he “knew immediately” he still wanted an opponent in July.
“He’s a proven knockout artist who has shown to be a maniac in and out of the ring. This is the perfect experience for me to gain in advance of facing Mike Tyson.
“But getting that experience comes with risk. Those who know me know I’m a risk taker and while ‘Platinum’ Perry might try to end me, I’m ‘Titanium’ Jake Paul and I fear no man.”
1 Mike, 2 Mikes, 3 Mikes, 4
The fact is every opponent has touched the floor
5 months until Tyson and I go to war
So in the meantime me & Perry are going to make Tampa roar
I fear no man, anytime, anywhere, anyplace
On July 20th it’s going to be another W, so let us say… PIC.TWITTER.COM/SIU6K0VBD5
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) JUNE 18, 2024
Mike Perry record: Boxing and MMA
American Perry has been on a successful run as a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship middleweight since 2021.
The 32-year-old has boxed once, losing to professional Kenneth McNeil by fourth-round knockout in 2015.
Paul is no stranger to taking on MMA fighters in the boxing ring, having beaten former UFC fighters Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz to pad his record to nine wins from 10 fights.
Man oh man, sparred today, feeling really strong, very heavy 👌🏼, if I were to call out any fighters for a match, @ALEXPEREIRAUFC or @USYKAA would be fun fights ! I’m telling yall, my hands demand respect 🦾
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) JUNE 15, 2024
Paul v Perry venue
While the AT&T Arena holds 80,000 people, Paul’s fight with Perry will be held at the smaller Amalie Arena in Tampa, which has a capacity of 21,500.
“The world will see the truth: he just made the worst mistake of his life in trying to get through me before ‘Iron Mike’,” said Perry.
“I’m going to make it look easy and I’m going to teach Jake Paul the most he’s ever learned about fighting.”
