From “Iron” Mike to “Platinum” Mike: Jake Paul is deciding to pick on someone closer to his own age this July.
The YouTube star turned-boxer announced Tuesday via Most Valuable Promotions that he will fight ex-MMA fighter, Mike Perry, on July 20 at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
That July 20 date had originally been slated for his fight with Mike Tyson, who had to pull out of the bout after a medical flare-up involving an ulcer.
Perry, 32, is just five years older than Paul, compared to the 20-plus-year gap with the soon-to-be 58-year-old Tyson.
This new bout with Perry has no baring on the rescheduled bout with Tyson slated for Nov. 15 in Dallas.
“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, who has a 9-1 record, said via a press release.
“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. 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 has been arrested on multiple occasions, having knocked out an elder restaurant-goer in Texas with one punch in 2020.
Perry also spent six months in jail after violating the terms of a sentence for armed burglary in 2011.
He seemed to be on the right track after he got out of prison, fighting 15 times in the UFC, although his career there ended in a whimper, going 2-7 in his last nine bouts.
However, Perry has since put together a shockingly impressive career as a bare knuckle boxer with the promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
Perry is considered the best bare-knuckle boxer in the world right now, going 5-0 as the promotion’s top draw and middleweight champion.
He has never fought professionally in a conventional boxing match, though.
Paul has made a habit out of fighting ex-UFC fighters, as he previously knocked out Tyron Woodley and soundly defeated Nate Diaz.
This will be his 11th professional fight, six of which have come against ex-UFC talent.
