In what would have been the first boxing event to be live-streamed on Netflix, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson’s proposed fight for July 20 gained a lot of media attention, both positive and negative. The fight was postponed until November following medical concerns regarding Tyson, and ‘The Problem Child’ was not content with waiting until the fall for his next fight.
After much speculation, it was finally confirmed earlier today that Jake Paul will fight former UFC fighter turned Bare-Knuckle star Mike Perry on July 20 instead. While the date has been saved, both the venue and broadcaster haven’t. Instead of taking place at the AT&T stadium – home of the Dallas Cowboys -the event will now be held at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. Netflix will no longer stream the event; it will be shown on PPV via DAZN.
Paul’s record in professional boxing stands at an impressive 9-1, with his only defeat coming against Tommy Fury in February last year in what was a close fight in Saudi Arabia. The Brit won via a split decision that night, a loss that has only fuelled Paul’s determination to prove himself as a legitimate boxer. His opponent on July 20, Mike Perry, has only had one sanctioned, professional bout – a knockout defeat way back in 2015.
It’s worth noting that Mike Perry has made a name for himself in recent years fighting for BKFC, the fastest-growing bare-knuckle promotion. He’s racked up a record of 5-0 with a 60% knockout rate against established MMA stars, so he will fancy his chances against Jake Paul in Tampa, Florida.
One person who doesn’t rate Mike Perry’s chances is the UFC Bantamweight Champion, Sean O’Malley. He said on his podcast, the TimboSugarShow, that although Perry will be a very competitive fight for Paul, his lack of boxing experience will show on the fight. Although he is accomplished in the world of bare-knuckle, it’s very much a different sport with regards to range, space, and technique, despite the similarities it shares with the ‘sweet science’.
Detractors of Jake Paul have often criticized his choice of opponents, claiming that he only fights ageing, over-the-hill MMA fighters. However, the announcement of Mike Perry as a replacement has shattered this perception. At 32 years old, Perry is the youngest MMA fighter that Paul has faced in the boxing ring, a stark contrast to the ages of Anderson Silva (47), Tyron Woodley (39), Nate Diaz (38), and Ben Askren (36) when they stepped into the ring with ‘The Problem Child.’
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