Jake Paul admits his fight against Mike Tyson may never happen after the boxing legend pulled out.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was scheduled to fight Tyson on July 20, but Tyson was forced out of the fight after suffering a stomach ulcer flare-up. The controversial bout has been pushed back to November 15 and Paul will fight former UFC star and bare-knuckle boxing champion Mike Perry next month instead.
Tyson plans to resume training in the coming weeks ahead of the rescheduled date but little has been heard from the former undisputed heavyweight champion since he pulled out. Paul gave an update on the fight when he told The New York Post : “If Tyson wants it, I’m down. The keys are in his hands.
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“It would be such an honour to step in there with him. Mike Tyson is the one who wanted it to be a professional fight. He’s saying he’s fine [despite the problem], he’s saying he’s ready, and all of these things. We’re not Mike Tyson’s dad. We’re not his boss. If Mike Tyson wants the fight, it would be my honour, and I’m down to do it.
“He’s ready to go; he just needed a couple of weeks, so he’s back to training. We’re all just praying and hoping that everything is good and that he stays healthy. That’s first and foremost. He’s Mike Tyson at the end of the day. He has lethal knockout power and is very, very experienced. I think it is going to be a brawl regardless.”
Paul is searching for his 10th professional win when he fights Perry next month. The former UFC star has made a name for himself in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship since leaving the MMA promotion and teased a fight against Conor McGregor after facing off with the Irishman in the ring last year.
Paul has admitted he is taking a big risk by fighting Perry as it could scupper plans of his Tyson fight. “I think I am crazy for this; I definitely am because I don’t think anyone would take the risk in this position, but that’s just what makes me different. I’m not slowing down for anyone and I want to stay active in the gym,” he added.
