Mike Perry thinks that Mike Tyson will cause problems for Jake Paul

10 March 2024

In a surprising turn of events, Mike Perry, the renowned face of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), has expressed his eagerness to witness Mike Tyson's comeback bout against Jake Paul, despite his own aspirations to step into the ring with the YouTube sensation.

Scheduled for July 20th at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the showdown between Tyson and Paul has garnered widespread attention, particularly with Netflix securing exclusive streaming rights for subscribers.

Perry, who is currently gearing up to face Thiago Alves in BKFC's Knucklemania 4 on April 27, shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated matchup. "I was like, damn, get that bag, Mike," Perry remarked during an interview with MMA Fighting. The 57-year-old Tyson, known for his formidable punching power, poses a significant threat to Paul, according to Perry. "He can hurt him for sure, so let’s see if they’re allowed to knock each other out, or if only Jake is allowed. Who knows?"

Despite the buzz surrounding the event, uncertainties loom over the nature of the bout, with questions arising about whether it will be sanctioned as a professional fight or an exhibition match. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) stated that they are yet to receive proposed fight cards, emphasizing that all bouts are subject to review and approval.

A major concern in the combat sports community revolves around the substantial age gap between Paul and Tyson, with the former being over three decades younger. Perry acknowledged the age factor but remains confident in Tyson's ability to deliver a formidable performance. "We saw Mike against Roy Jones and he looked great," Perry noted, highlighting Tyson's impressive display in his recent exhibition match. "Even a 57-year-old Mike Tyson still has some danger, at least Jake’s fighting a puncher this time."

Despite his own hopes of facing Paul in the ring, Perry recognizes the significance of Tyson's opportunity and the excitement it brings to the sport. "It should be me though," Perry admitted. "I should be fighting Jake, but it’s Mike Tyson, so how can I compete with that? It’ll be on Netflix and they’re doing all this marketing together. It’s good for Mike, and it will be exciting because of Mike."

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As the countdown to the Tyson-Paul clash continues, the boxing world remains captivated by the prospect of witnessing a legendary figure like Tyson return to the spotlight, while contenders like Perry eagerly await their chance to make their mark on the sport's grand stage.