Jake Paul might have already identified his next opponent following his contentious exhibition bout with Mike Tyson, as bare-knuckle champion Mike Parry has challenged the boxer to a fight.
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Age Divide Sparks Debate: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Showdown
The YouTuber-turned-boxer is slated to go up against Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 20 in a lucrative match, with Tyson expected to earn approximately $20 million, as per reports.
However, some fans have raised concerns about the appropriateness of the bout, citing the significant age gap between the two fighters. Tyson, aged 57, hasn’t competed in the ring since his last exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr in 2020, which concluded in a peculiar draw.
Paul, who is 30 years younger, has been considerably more active in the boxing circuit, securing victories in his last three fights against Nate Diaz, Andre August, and Ryan Bourland.
Nonetheless, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship standout Perry, aged 32, has cautioned Paul that he’ll challenge him to a fight if Paul inflicts any harm on the former heavyweight champion, Tyson.
“Jake Paul, man. If he hurts Mike Tyson, bro, let me get that,” Perry conveyed to TMZ Sports.
“Although he’s not accustomed to bare-knuckle fighting, I wouldn’t put it past Jake Paul because he’s been engaging in activities that some would consider intimidating or risky. That’s partly what drew me to bare-knuckle fighting—many were apprehensive about it or wary of it. I’m like, ‘It seems genuine to me.’
“So Jake, man, I’m definitely throwing down the gauntlet. If you manage to defeat Mike Tyson, put yourself to the test for real, and let’s settle it in a street fight.”
Who is Mike Perry, Jake Paul’s Possible Next Match-up?
Mike Perry is a former UFC fighter who transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing in 2022, where he has achieved success by winning all four of his fights so far using exposed fists.
Perry has expressed interest in switching to boxing late in his career and has previously agreed to be a backup opponent for both Jake Paul and his brother Logan.
Notably, Perry and Paul have sparred together previously, and Perry acknowledges Paul’s talent in the ring. However, he has also expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Paul, stating, “Forget Jake, he’s got some skills, but I believe I can beat him as quickly as he’s defeating these inexperienced opponents, especially in bare-knuckle fights. I’ll inflict damage on him, and he’ll retreat, cry, and hide in a corner in the fetal position.”
Pre-Fight Tension Mounts: Jake Paul’s Eerie Echo of Tyson’s Infamous Bite
The anticipation escalates as the highly-publicized and controversial match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson draws nearer. In a recent development, the YouTuber has issued a startling threat to the boxing legend, suggesting he would bite Tyson’s ear off.
Despite the fight being scheduled for July 20 in Texas, there’s still a considerable amount of time before they step into the ring together. However, the pre-fight rhetoric has already reached intense levels.
Paul took to his Instagram account this week, declaring, “I’m gonna bite your ear off Mikey.”
Paul’s statement clearly alludes to one of the most infamous moments in boxing history when Tyson, in the midst of a bout, infamously bit Evander Holyfield’s ear, causing significant injury.
The classification of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson bout as either an exhibition or a professional fight rests on the decision of the Combative Sports program within the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Brian E. Francis, the interim executive director of TDLR, will make this determination based on recommendations from program staff.
The process involves evaluating proposed matchups at least 21 days prior to the event to ensure that the fighters have comparable skill levels.
Tela Mange, Communications Manager for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR), clarified that a promoter can request either an exhibition or a sanctioned professional bout.
“It’s quite common for a promoter to request a date several months in advance without immediately providing the proposed card,” she explained to USA Today.
“They want to ensure that they have secured the date with us, as we need to ensure appropriate staffing is available for any event.”
“The promoter will need to submit proposed cards before we determine whether a specific contest would be classified as an exhibition or a professional fight, or how a proposed exhibition might be structured.”
