(Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)
Fans of performative pugilism will still get to see Jake Paul step in the ring with a combat sports veteran next month—but it won’t be Mike Tyson.
The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter was originally slated to fight Tyson—who turns 58 this month— live on Netflix on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but medical issues forced the legendary heavyweight to withdraw and postpone the match until November 15.
Instead of squandering his training camp and the date, Paul has elected to face off against Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship champ and former UFC brawler “Platinum” Mike Perry in an eight-round cruiserweight bout at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, according to ESPN.
“When Paul vs. Tyson was rescheduled, I knew immediately that I wanted to still fight on Saturday, July 20. Now, as I prepare for my fight against Iron Mike, there’s no better opponent for me than Mike Perry,” Paul said in a statement to ESPN.
“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 gan 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.
“I’m going to get the W and give everyone a preview of what I’m bringing to the ring against Mike Tyson. Tune in on DAZN PPV as I return to Tampa and send ‘Platinum’ Perry the Platypus back to bare knuckle for good.”
Perry, 32, held a UFC record of 7-8 when he transitioned to the BKFC in 2021. He’s since become the one of the promotion’s fiercest competitors, beating former UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez to earn the symbolic “King of Violence” championship, ESPN reports.
Perry’s active status as a fighter, coupled with fact that he’s relatively close in age to the 27-year-old Paul, should make for one of the more compelling exhibition bouts the sport has seen recently.
“Jake Paul claims he fears no man, but on Saturday, July 20, the world will see the truth: He just made the worst mistake of his life in trying to get through me before Iron Mike,” Perry said. “I’m going to make it look easy on Saturday, July 20, and I’m going to teach Jake Paul the most he’s ever learned about fighting.”
Watch Jack Paul vs. Mike Perry: Fear No Man live on DAZN pay-per-view on July 20.