Jake Paul is still hearing detractors of his date with Mike Tyson ahead of his fight against Mike Perry this Saturday.
Paul and Tyson were originally set to compete this weekend, but after a health scare forced Tyson out, the bout was postponed to November. Now, BKFC star Perry steps in for a main event boxing showdown in Tampa.
In response to fans and media still critical of the Tyson matchup, Paul is letting people know that the 58-year-old is capable enough to make his own decisions — and cash a huge paycheck.
“I view it as, say it to Mike Tyson’s face and see what he does to you,” Paul said on The Pat McAfee Show. “The one reporter that who was discrediting him, he was about to jump over the press conference table and beat the dude’s ass.
“We aren’t Mike Tyson’s dad. We don’t control Mike Tyson. He’s his own boss. If he wants to go in there and make tens of millions of dollars, and potentially end my run, then who are we to stop him? This guy has been doing this his whole entire life. He’s a natural born killer, and this is what he loves, and maybe this is what he needs. So, yeah, the age is a thing, but I believe it’s the equalizer because he has more experience, but I have the youth, and the speed, maybe, to be able to put him down.”
Perry has been a major success story since leaving UFC, having become the face of bare-knuckle boxing and a legitimate combat sports draw. Many believe Perry’s style, durability, and punching power will allow Paul to potentially show a different side of him, and perhaps the ability to overcome adversity in a bloody battle.
Paul agrees that could happen, which is a big reason why fighting Perry seemed like a perfect opportunity for a number of reasons.
“So when Mike Tyson pulled out, it was like, ‘Who can I fight to keep this July 20 date alive?’” Paul said. “Because Amanda Serrano, Ashton ‘H20’ Sylve, the whole entire undercard, we wanted to keep the event alive [for them], and Mike Perry instantly was the first name that popped up.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, he’s amazing. He’s like a Mike [Tyson] appetizer.’ [Perry’s] violent, comes forward, scary, doesn’t give a frig ... but he doesn’t care. I would like that same attitude he has, and it’s a good warm-up for Mike Tyson. To be honest, I was nervous going into the Mike Tyson fight because of how scary he is, how much more experience he has, and so any more experience I can get under my belt, the better.
“It will be a big boxing showcase of the sweet science. Maybe he’s going to land some big shots, maybe he’s going to be all wild and do some crazy things, but as the rounds go on, I will slowly pick him apart with my footwork, my jab, working to the body, and exposing him in different areas he hasn’t been exposed before by these other BKFC or MMA fighters.”
