JAKE PAUL will return to the boxing ring BEFORE fighting Mike Tyson.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer was due to face heavyweight boxing legend Tyson on July 20 in Texas.
But the controversial clash – scrutinised for the 30-year age gap – was postponed after Iron Mike suffered an ulcer flare up on a flight.
Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions – who struck a historic deal with Netflix to air the fight – pitched replacements.
Ex-world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and ex-UFC star Mike Perry were among those put forward.
But Netflix demanded the fight for the ages with Tyson be pushed back and a rescheduled date of November 15 was announced.
In the meantime, Paul, 27, looked to secure a keep-busy bout and was desperate to stick with his July 20 date.
And he has done just that after announcing an eight-round cruiserweight showdown with former MMA-turned-bare-knuckle fighter Perry.
They actually sparred together in 2021 with Perry calling for a fight with Paul ever since.
The outspoken American left the UFC in 2021 with a 14–8 MMA record to instead sign with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
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He has since become the face of BKFC with five straight wins but crosses over to the boxing ring for only the second time.
Perry lost his boxing debut in 2015 and some fans pleaded with Paul to instead take the fight in bare-knuckle.
One said: “Please tell me this is bare knuckle.”
Another added: “I wish it was bare knuckle.”
Paul is 9-1 as a boxer with his only defeat coming against Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy, 25, in their celebrity grudge match in February 2023.
He said: “When Paul vs. Tyson was rescheduled, I knew immediately that I wanted to still fight on Saturday, July 20.
“Now, as I prepare for my fight against Iron Mike, there’s no better opponent for me than Mike Perry.
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“He’s a proven knockout artist who has shown to be a maniac in and out of the ring.
“This is the perfect experience for me to gain in advance of facing Mike Tyson. But getting that experience comes with risk.
“Those who know me know I’m a risk taker and while ‘Platinum’ Perry might try to end me, I’m Titanium Jake Paul and I fear no man.
“I’m going to get the W and give everyone a preview of what I’m bringing to the ring against Mike Tyson.
“Tune in on DAZN PPV as I return to Tampa and send ‘Platinum’ Perry the Platypus back to bare knuckle for good.”
Perry, 32, said: “Jake Paul claims he fears no man, but on Saturday, July 20, the world will see the truth: he just made the worst mistake of his life in trying to get through me before Iron Mike.
“I’m going to make it look easy on Saturday July 20th, and I’m going to teach Jake Paul the most he’s ever learned about fighting.”
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