Mike Tyson was one of the many interested onlookers last night as Jake Paul added another stoppage win to his record.
The social media star was due to face heavyweight boxing legend Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Saturday. Unfortunately, a medical emergency forced him to postpone the bout, with the pair setting a November 15 date instead.
However given his increased activity of late, Paul wanted to stay busy and his Most Valuable Promotions hastily put together a showdown with BKFC star Mike Perry. And while the bare knuckle brawler was game and tough, his lack of refined skills led to him being stopped in round five.
- Who is Jake Paul? Get to know the YouTuber-turned-boxing sensation as he prepares to fight Mike Tyson
Jake Paul knocks out Mike Perry to set up new Mike Tyson fight date
Throughout fight week, there had been a building belief that Perry would be able to turn on the pressure and cause Jake Paul problems. The rugged bare knuckle boxer hadn’t lost since leaving the UFC in 2021, including a five-fight win streak in BKFC and a Triad Combat victory.
But with a massive Netflix payout and fight with Mike Tyson on the horizon, Paul managed to overcome a mid-fight scare to stop the gritty Perry. He dropped his opponent within seconds of the first, and again in the second as it appeared he would coast to victory.
Perry, though, had other ideas and as Paul began to tire heading into the third, the former MMA star began to come into his own and have success. Unfortunately, it was short lived as he was rocked late in the fourth and stopped in the fifth.
After the fight, Paul wasted no time at all immediately beginning the promotion for his ring return against Tyson this November. “Mike Tyson… you’re next big boy, sign the contract, November 15 on Netfix,” Paul told host Ariel Helwani.
“I’m excited for that one, I’m going to go home and prepare for that one. It’s happening, November 15, Mike Tyson is training, he’s back, looking crazier than ever. I’m going to get another KO and prove everyone wrong once again.
“Everyone said I was an idiot for taking this fight, that I was risking it but this is why I’m here, I take big risks. Mike, I love you but this is my sport. You’re a legend, you’re one of the two most famous boxers ever to live.
“You and Muhammad Ali. It’s an honour to get in the ring with you. I’m so, so honoured; you’re a legend, but I’m going to take your throne, brother.”
Mike Tyson responds to Jake Paul’s win with social media video
Immediately after the fight, Tyson uploaded a video to social media showing himself watching Paul on a TV. He didn’t say anything during the video, or even show highlights from the fight, instead focusing on his rival’s ring walk.
The video garnered almost a million views in a few hours, and had no caption. Just prior, he had tweeted: “Countdown Begins – 118 days – 16 weeks and 6 days – 17 weekends – 2,832 hours – 169,920 minutes – 10,195,200 seconds. Clock Starts Now. #TysonPaul #TheClockIsTicking #JakesWake.”
Tyson was initially pulled from the fight after he suffered an ulcer flare up uring a flight from Los Angeles to Miami in May and had to be dealt with by medical professionals. Despite claiming to feel fine, he was recommended to tone down his training, and will return to the gym later this month.
Mike Tyson had raised concerns for Jake Paul before Mike Perry fight
The Paul vs Perry fight was put together on short notice, with many feeling that it may prove to be a bridge too far for the YouTube star. One of the people who was worried about the fight was Tyson himself, according to what Paul said during fight week.
“He’s doing good, he’s back in training,” Paul said ahead of the bout when asked about Tyson’s thoughts on the event. “He was concerned about me taking this fight. He was like, ‘What is Jake doing, this guy Mike Perry is a killer’.
“He has some concerns but Tyson. My message to you is don’t worry, I’m going to put this guy to sleep. This guy is a Mike appetiser and then you’re next.”
